Cleansing compositions

ABSTRACT

A personal care composition comprising a cosmetically acceptable base and inorganic particulate material, for example, a shower gel or hair shampoo, and a method of making the personal care composition. A cleaning composition comprising a base and inorganic particulate material, for example, a hard surface cleansing composition, and a method of making the cleaning composition. A composition, for example, a personal care composition, use of an inorganic particulate material having a d 50  of from about 0.1 μm to about 200 μm in such a composition, and a method for making such a composition.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is related to: (i) a personal care compositioncomprising a cosmetically acceptable base and inorganic particulatematerial, for example, a shower gel or hair shampoo, and to a method ofmaking the personal care composition; (ii) a cleaning compositioncomprising a base and inorganic particulate material, for example, ahard surface cleansing composition and to a method of making thecleaning composition; and (iii) a composition, for example, a personalcare composition, the use of an inorganic particulate material having ad₅₀ of from about 0.1 μm to about 200 μm in such a composition, and to amethod for making such a composition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to add particulate matter to skin cleansing compositions,such as shower gel and bath gels, in order to impart a scrub feel and toaid exfoliation of the uppermost layer of skin upon lathering. Morerecently, there has been a growing trend to incorporate plasticmicro-beads into skin cleansing compositions. However, plasticmicro-beads have been found to enter the water course and end up inlakes, seas and oceans. This has led to some environmental groups tocall for a ban on plastic micro-beads. Thus, there is ongoing need todevelop new and even improved particulates for use in shower gels andthe like, which do not suffer from the purported environmental drawbacksof plastic micro-beads.

Further, scouring compositions such as particulate compositions orliquid (incl. gel, paste-type) compositions containing abrasivecomponents are well known in the art. Such compositions are used forcleaning a variety of surfaces; especially those surfaces that tend tobecome soiled with difficult to remove stains and soils.

Amongst the currently known scouring compositions, the most popular onesare based on abrasive particles with shapes varying from spherical toirregular. The most common abrasive particles are either inorganic likecarbonate salt, clay, silica, silicate, shale ash, and quartz sand ororganic polymeric beads like polypropylene, PVC, melamine, urea,polyacrylate and derivatives, and come in the form of liquid compositionhaving a creamy consistency with the abrasive particles suspendedtherein.

Due to the presence of very hard abrasive particles, these compositionscan damage, i.e., scratch, the surfaces onto which they have beenapplied. Indeed, the formulator needs to choose between good cleaningperformance but featuring strong surface damage or compromising on thecleaning performance while featuring acceptable surface safety profile.In addition, such currently known scouring compositions at least incertain fields of application (e.g., hard surface cleaning) areperceived by consumers as outdated, and are often disliked due tounpleasant feel on the hands during usage. Abrasive particles derivedfrom natural material such as nut shells e.g.: walnut and almond orderived from seed pits e.g.: apricot and cherry are sometimes meetingabove mentioned requirements, however, they appear in nature with darkcolor and their inclusion in a cleaning product yield an unaestheticmuddy-like liquid composition. This is highly undesirable byconsumer/users because it compromises the aspect of the liquidcomposition and its cleaning performance. Therefore, there is a realneed to identify an abrasive particle derived from a natural materialthat fulfills equally the aesthetic and performance requirements forcleaning liquid composition.

Moreover, cleansing compositions such as personal care products andwashing-up fluids are many and various. There is an ongoing need todevelop new products having modified or improved properties which mayenhance the cleansing function of the composition and/or provide anenhanced experience for the user, particularly when using personal careproducts such as hair shampoo and shower/bath gels. For example, theuser may prefer a personal care product which generates more foam, orhas a creamier texture

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION First General Aspect

According to a first aspect, the present invention is directed to apersonal care cleansing composition comprising: a cosmeticallyacceptable base; and an inorganic particulate material selected from thegroup consisting of perlite, vermiculite, alumina, nepheline andmixtures thereof. In certain embodiments, the personal care cleansingcomposition is a shower or bath gel. In certain embodiments, thepersonal care cleaning composition is an anti-dandruff shampoo.

According to a second aspect, the present invention is directed to apackaged product suitable for commerce comprising the personal carecleansing composition according to the first aspect of the presentinvention.

According to a third aspect, the present invention is directed to theuse of an inorganic particulate material as defined in accordance withthe first aspect of the present invention in a personal care cleansingcomposition comprising a gel, for example, a shower gel.

According to a fourth aspect, the present invention is directed to theuse of an inorganic particulate as defined in accordance with the firstaspect of the present invention in a hair shampoo, for example, ananti-dandruff shampoo.

According to a fifth aspect, the present invention is directed to amethod of treating or preventing dandruff, said method comprisingadministering by topical application an effective amount of a hairshampoo according to embodiments of the first aspect of the presentinvention such that dandruff is treated or prevented.

According to a sixth aspect, the present invention is directed to a hairshampoo according to embodiments of the first aspect of the presentinvention for use in treating or preventing dandruff.

According to a seventh aspect, the present invention is directed to amethod for making a personal care cleansing composition according to thefirst aspect of the present invention, said method comprising combininga cosmetically acceptable base and inorganic particulate material asdefined in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention.

Second General Aspect

According to a first aspect, the present invention is directed to acleaning composition comprising: a base; and an inorganic particulatematerial selected from the group consisting of spherical perlite,alumina (e.g., spherical alumina), vermiculite, nepheline and mixturesthereof. In certain embodiments, the cleaning composition is a hardsurface or tableware cleansing composition.

According to a second aspect, the present invention is directed to apackaged product suitable for commerce comprising the cleaningcomposition according to the first aspect of the present invention.

According to a third aspect, the present invention is directed to theuse of an inorganic particulate material as defined in accordance withthe first aspect of the present invention in a cleaning compositioncomprising a gel, for example, a hard surface cleansing composition.

According to a fourth aspect, the present invention is directed to acleaning composition including an inorganic particulate material toprovide scrubbing action.

According to a fifth aspect, the present invention is directed to amethod for making a cleaning composition according to the first aspectof the present invention, said method comprising combining a base andinorganic particulate material as defined in accordance with the firstaspect of the present invention.

Third General Aspect

According to a first aspect, the present invention is directed to acomposition comprising a base, a foaming agent and inorganic particulatematerial having a d₅₀ of from about 0.1 μm to about 200 μm.

According to a second aspect, the present invention is directed to theuse of an inorganic particulate material having a d₅₀ of from about 0.1μm to about 200 μm, in a composition comprising a base and foamingagent, for increasing the foam volume of the composition upon or duringtopical application of the composition.

According to a third aspect, the present invention is directed to theuse of an inorganic particulate material having a d₅₀ of from about 0.1μm to about 200 μm, in a composition comprising a base and foamingagent, for reducing the average bubble size of the foam generated uponor during topical application of the composition.

According to a fourth aspect, the present invention is directed to amethod for making a composition according to the first aspect, saidmethod comprising combining a base, foaming agent and inorganicparticulate material in suitable amounts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graph summarising the scrub feel of a number of tested gelcompositions, as detailed in the Examples.

FIG. 2 is a graph summarising the abrasiveness of a number of inorganicparticulate materials and comparative materials, as detailed in theExamples.

FIG. 3 is an optical image of a microspherical alumina, designated MANo. 2 in the Examples.

FIG. 4 is an optical image of a microspherical perlite, designated as PMNo. 1. in the Examples.

FIG. 5 is a graph summarising the foam volume of a comparative shampooand a series of exemplary shampoos prepared in the Examples.

FIGS. 1 to 4 relate to the first general aspect.

FIG. 5 relates to the third general aspect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION First General Aspect

The term “personal care cleansing composition” used herein means acomposition which is compatible with the skin and/or hair, particularlythe keratin-containing material making up the outer (uppermost) layer ofhuman skin. In certain embodiments, the personal care cleansingcomposition is a shower gel or bath gel. In certain embodiments, thepersonal care cleansing composition is a shower gel. In certainembodiments, the personal care cleansing composition is a hair shampoo,for example, an anti dandruff hair shampoo.

The term “shower gel” or “bath gel” as used herein means a compositioncomprising a gel of water and detergent bases (e.g., liquid soap). Incertain embodiments, it s pH balanced for use on the body. The shower orbath gel may have added functional ingredients such asmoisturizer/conditioner, pearlescent s, colorants, fragrance, etc., asdescribed herein. These compositions are used skin cleansing agents inthe shower or bath. The pH range for shower and bath gels is typicallyfrom about 5.75 to about 7. In contrast, a hair shampoo may becharacterized as a composition typically comprising harsher surfactantsto clean hair and may be slightly more acidic than a shower or bath gel.A shampoo may be formulated for specific hair conditions such asdryness, oiliness, damage from color treatment and frizziness, etc. Eachfunction may use a different mixture of ingredients which are formulateddepending on the target function. The pH range for hair shampoo istypically from about 5 to about 7. Most shampoos typically have a lowerpH, e.g., from about 5.5 to about 6, than a shower or bath gel, to matchthe hairs' natural acidity of about 4.5 to about 5.5.

In certain embodiments, the personal care cleansing composition is not acream and/or not a lotion and/or not a hair shampoo other than ananti-dandruff shampoo.

The term “gel” used herein includes a phase having gel-like properties,such as low or negligible flow on standing, or a liquid phase of lowviscosity. For instance, a gel may be a colloidal suspension of solidsdispersed in a liquid or a sol. In certain embodiments, the gel has aBrookfield viscosity of at least about 0.5 Pa·s (at 100 rpm RV spindle6) and optionally no greater than about 100 Pa·s (at 1 rpm RV spindle6). Additionally or alternatively, the gel may have a specific gravityranging from about 0.9 to about 1.2, for example, from about 1.0 toabout 1.1. In certain embodiments, the gel is an emulsion of water anddetergent base. The detergent base may comprise a surfactant or mixtureof surfactants, as described herein. In certain embodiments, the gel maybe thixotropic, i.e., gel-like at rest but fluid when agitated (e.g.,shaken or squeezed).

In certain embodiments, the shower or bath gel has a scrub feel at leastas good as, or even better than, a comparable bath or shower gelcomprising polyethylene microbeads, for example, a comparable bath orshower gel comprising Gotalene® 135 colourless 26 micro-beads, availablefrom Du Pont. Said micro-beads are composed of low density polyethylene(LDPE) and characterised in having a maximum particle size of less than630 μm, a melting point of 106° C., a melt-flow index (190° C./2.16 kg)of 70, a bulk density of >=23, and a specific gravity of 0.918 g/cm³. By“comparable” is meant that the shower gel or bath gel differs only inthat the inorganic particulate material is replaced by said micro-beads.A suitable test for scrub feel is described below in the Examples.

In certain embodiments, the hair shampoo comprising the inorganicparticulate material provides or aids improved exfoliation of the skinof the scalp when topically applied by massaging into the hair and scalpduring washing. In certain embodiments in which the hair shampoo is ananti-dandruff shampoo, the combination of anti-dandruff chemical(s) andinorganic particulate material provides a synergistic improvement intreating dandruff. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believedthat the exfoliating effect of the inorganic particulate mechanicallyimproves the reduction or elimination of dandruff during washing of thehair.

The personal care cleansing composition (e.g., shower gel or bath gel orhair shampoo) may be provided in a packaged product suitable forcommerce (e.g., tub, tube, bottle, packet, sachet, canister, dispenser,and the like).

The Inorganic Particulate Material

Surprisingly, it has been found that inorganic particulate materials inaccordance with the first aspect of the invention provide a scrub feeland/or exfoliating properties when included in a personal care cleansingcomposition comprising a gel, as a partial or total replacement forplastic micro-beads currently used in shower and bath gels. In certainembodiments, the inorganic particulate material has been found to bemildly abrasive. The mechanical action of the application provides aninitial scrub feel, then aids exfoliation of the upper layer of skin. Incertain embodiments described herein, the inorganic particulate is inthe form of spheres or microspheres which are substantially hollow. Insuch embodiments, following the initial scrub feel, continued mechanicalaction breaks down the hollow spheres or microspheres further enhancingexfoliation of the upper layer of the skin.

The inorganic particulate material is selected from the group consistingof perlite, vermiculite, alumina, nepheline and mixtures thereof.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material is selectedfrom the group consisting of perlite, vermiculite, nepheline andmixtures thereof.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material does notinclude or is not alumina.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material comprises,consists essentially of, or consists of: (i) perlite; or (ii) alumina;or (iii) vermiculite; or (iv) nepheline.

In certain embodiments in which the inorganic particulate materialcomprises, consists essentially of, or consists of, perlite, the perliteis substantially spherical perlite. By “substantially spherical” ismeant that individual particles of the inorganic particulate materialhave a generally (but not necessarily geometrically regular) spherical,spheroidal and/or ovoidal morphology, i.e., generally non-angular, asviewed using an optical microscope (e.g., a Keyence VHX-1000). Forexample, a substantially spherical particle may have a roundness of 1.15or less, or 1.10 or less, or 1.05 or less. The roundness of aparticulate may be determined in accordance with the following method.An image of the particulate sample is taken using an optical microscope(e.g., a Keyence VHX-100) on a contrasting background. The image is thentransferred and opened using Leica LAS Image Analysis Software by LeicaMicrosystems, Solms, Germany (see:http://www.leica-microsystems.com/products/microscope-software/materials-sciences/details/product/leica-las-image-analysis/downloads/).A sample of about 100 particles is then drawn around and the roundnesscalculated by the software.

In certain embodiments, the perlite is expanded perlite. Typically,expanded perlite includes one or more cells, or parts of cells, in whicha cell is a void space partially or entirely surrounded by walls ofglass, usually formed from expansion of gases when the glass is in thesoftened state. Processes for expanding perlite are well known in theart, and include heating perlite in air to a temperature of least about700° C., typically between 800° C. and 1100° C., in an expansionfurnace. Exemplary processes for producing expanded perlite aredescribed in US-A-20060075930, the entire contents of which is herebyincorporated by reference. Expanded perlite typically has a bulk volumeup to 20 times that of the unexpanded material. In certain embodiments,the substantially spherical perlite is expanded perlite.

In certain embodiments, the perlite is in the form of microspheres. Themicrospheres may be hollow or solid. In certain embodiments, themicrospheres are hollow, for example, substantially closed and hollow.In certain embodiments, the microspheres are substantially closed cellstructures, e.g., sealed cavities normally filled with air. In certainembodiments, at least 50 wt. % of the perlite is in the form ofmicrospheres, for example, at least about 60 wt. %, or at least about 70wt. %, or at least about 80 wt. %, or at least about 90 wt. %, or atleast about 95 wt. %, or at least about 99 wt. %, or substantially 100wt. % of the perlite is in the form of microspheres. Perlite in the formof microspheres can be formed in accordance with the methods describedin WO-A-2013053635, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporatedby reference.

Generally, in this process, perlite ore and propellant is fed into anupright furnace and falls along a drop section through multiple heatingzones in a furnace shaft of the furnace. The perlite ore is heated to acritical temperature at which the surfaces of the perlite plasticize andperlite grains are expanded on the basis of the propellant.

In certain embodiments, the perlite, be it spherical, expanded, expandedspherical or expanded microspherical, is not milled, i.e., the perliteis not an expanded milled perlite.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material comprises,consists essentially of, or consists of alumina, optionally excludingnon-spherical and non-microspherical fused alumina having a density ofgreater than about 3.9 Wm. In certain embodiments, the alumina is ofhigh purity, typically comprising at least about 95.0% alumina bychemical analysis, or at least about 98.0% alumina, or at least about98.5% alumina, or at least about 99.0% alumina, or at least about 99.5%alumina.

In certain embodiments in which the inorganic particulate materialcomprises, consists essentially of, or consists of, alumina, the aluminais substantially spherical alumina.

In certain embodiments, the alumina is in the form of microspheres,which may be substantially closed and hollow. In certain embodiments, atleast 50 wt. % of the alumina is in the form of microspheres, forexample, at least about 60 wt. %, or at least about 70 wt. %, or atleast about 80 wt. %, or at least about 90 wt. %, or at least about 95wt. %, or at least about 99 wt. %, or substantially 100 wt. % of thealumina is in the form of microspheres. An expemplary microsphericalalumina is Alodur® bubble alumina, available from Imerys Fused Minerals.Microspherical alumina, also sometimes referred to as alumina bubbles,can be produced by various methods known in the art.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material and, thus,the skin cleansing composition, is free of crystalline silica.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material has a d₅₀ ofno greater than about 500 μm, for example, no greater than about 475 μm,or no greater than about 450 μm, or no greater than about 425 μm, or nogreater than about 400 μm, or no greater than about 375 μm, or nogreater than about 350 μm, or no greater than about 325 μm, or nogreater than about 300 μm, or no greater than about 275 μm, or nogreater than about 250 μm, or no greater than about 225 μm, or nogreater than about 200 μm.

Unless otherwise specified, the particle size properties referred toherein for the inorganic particulate materials are as measured by thewell known conventional method employed in the art of laser lightscattering, using a CILAS 1064L particle size analyser, as supplied byCILAS (or by other methods which give essentially the same result). Inthe laser light scattering technique, the size of particles in powders,suspensions and emulsions may be measured using the diffraction of alaser beam, based on an application of Fraunhofer and Mie theory. Such amachine provides measurements and a plot of the cumulative percentage byvolume of particles having a size, referred to in the art as the‘equivalent spherical diameter’ (e.s.d), less than given e.s.d values.The mean particle size d₅₀ is the value determined in this way of theparticle e.s.d at which there are 50% by volume of the particles whichhave an equivalent spherical diameter less than that d₅₀ value. The d₁₀value is the value at which 10% by volume of the particles have an e.s.dless than that d₁₀ value. The d₅₀ value is the value at which 90% byweight of the particles have an e.s.d less than that d₉₀ value. The d₁₀₀value is the value at which 100% by volume of the particles have ane.s.d less than that d₁₀₀ value. The d₀ value is the value at which 0%by volume of the particles have an e.s.d less than that d₀ value. Thus,the d₀ measurement provides a measure of the smallest particles in anygiven sample (within the limits of measurement of the particle sizeanalyzer).

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material has a d₁₀ ofat least about 10 μm, for example, at least about 20 μm, or at leastabout 30 μm, or at least about 40 μm, or at least about 50 μm, or atleast about 75 μm, or at least about 80 μm, or at least about 85 μm, orat least about 90 μm, or at least about 95 μm, or at least about 100 μm.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particle material has a d₁₀ of atleast about 30 μm and a d₉₀ of no greater than about 500 μm, forexample, a d₁₀ of at least about 50 μm and a d₉₀ of no greater thanabout 500 μm, or a d₁₀ of at least about 50 μm and a d₉₀ of no greaterthan about 475 μm, or a d₁₀ of at least about 75 μm and a d₉₀ of nogreater than about 475 μm, or a d₁₀ of at least about 90 μm and a d₉₀ ofno greater than about 475 μm, or a d₁₀ of at least about 90 μm and a d₉₀of no greater than about 450 μm. In said embodiments, the inorganicparticulate material may have a d₅₀ of from about 150 μm to about 350μm, for example, from about 150 μm to about 250 μm, or from about 150 μmto about 200 μm, or from about 175 μm to about 300 μm, or from about 175μm to about 250 μm, or from about 200 μm to about 300 μm, or from about200 um to about 275 μm, or from about 225 μm to about 275 μm, or fromabout 250 μm to about 350 μm, or from about 275 μm to about 325 μm.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material has a d₁₀₀ ofno greater than about 500 μm. In certain embodiments, the inorganicparticulate material has a d₀ of at least about 1 μm, or at least about5 μm, or at least about 10 μm.

Any particular particle size distribution may be obtained usingconventional methods known in the art, e.g., by screening. For example,screening may be carried out using an Alpine A-200 jet sieve, suppliedby Hosakawa Alpine, Germany, with screens provided by Haver & Bocker.The screen apertures may be selected depending on the particle sizedistribution required. For example, screens with apertures of 100 μm and500 μm may be used, particularly if it is desired to remove orsignificantly reduce oversized particles and undersized particles.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material has a densityof from about 0.10 to about 4.0 g/cc, for example, from about 0.10 toabout 3.8 g/cc, or from about 0.10 to about 3.5 g/cc, or from about 0.10to about 3.2 g/cc, or from about 0.10 to about 3.0 g/cc, or from about0.10 to about 2.5 g/cc, or from about 0.10 to about 2.0 g/cc, or fromabout 0.10 to about 1.9 g/cc, or from about 0.10 to about 1.8 g/cc, orfrom about 0.10 to about 1.7 g/cc, or from about 0.10 to about 1.6 g/cc,or from about 0.10 to about 1.5 g/cc, or from about 0.10 to about 1.4g/cc, or from about 0.10 to about 1.3 g/cc, or from about 0.10 to about1.2 g/cc, or from about 0.10 to about 1.1 g/cc, or from about 0.10 toabout 1.0 g/cc, or from about 0.10 to about 0.9 g/cc, or from about 0.10to about 0.8 g/cc, or from about 0.10 to about 0.7 g/cc, or from about0.10 to about 0.6 g/cc, or from about 0.10 to about 0.5 g/cc, or fromabout 0.10 to about 0.4 g/cc, or from about 0.20 to about 0.6 g/cc, orfrom about 0.20 to about 0.5 g/cc, or from about 0.20 to about 0.4 g/cc,or from about 0.25 to about 0.4 g/cc, or from about 0.30 to about 0.4g/cc.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material, for example,perlite, has a crush strength of from about 350 KPa to about 5500 KPa.Crush strength is a measure of the pressure required to crush a bed ofinorganic particulate material, held within a steel die set, by 30% ofits original volume, and may be determined in accordance with the methoddescribed below in Example 2. In certain embodiments, the inorganicparticulate material, which may comprise, consist essentially of, orconsist of microspheres of expanded spherical perlite, has a crushstrength of greater than about 1000 KPa, or greater than about 2000,KPa, or greater than about 2500 KPa, or greater than about 3000 KPa, orgreater than about 3500 KPa, or greater than about 4000 KPa, or greaterthan about 4500 KPa, or greater than about 5000 KPa. In certainembodiments, the inorganic particulate material has a crush strength ofno greater than about 5250 KPa, or no greater than about 5000 KPa.Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that a highercrush strength may increase the exfoliation properties of the personalcare composition.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material, for example,perlite, has a bulk density of from about 150-500 g/l, for example, fromabout 200-500 g/l, or from about 250-500 WI, or from about 300-500 g/l,or from about 350-500 g/l, or from about 400-500 g/l, or from about450-500 g/l, or from about 150-450 g/l, or from about 150-400 g/l, orfrom about 150-350 g/l, or from about 150-300 g/l, or from about 150-250g/l, or from about 150-200 g/l. As used herein, the ‘bulk density’ of asubstance is the value obtained when the mass of the substance isdivided by its contained volume, after the substance has been subjectedto conditions of free pouring. Bulk may density may be determined inaccordance with the test method described below in Example 2.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate comprises, or consistsessentially of, or consists of microspheres of expanded sphericalperlite and having a d₁₀ of at least about 50 μm and a d₉₀ of no greaterthan about 500 μm, for example, a d₁₀ of at least about 50 μm and a d₉₀of no greater than about 450 μm. In such embodiments, the inorganicparticulate (i.e., perlite) may have a density of from about 0.20 toabout 0.75 g/cc, for example, from about 0.20 to about 0.50 g/cc. Saidinorganic particulate may have a d₅₀ of from about 150 μm to about 350μm, for example, from about 150 μm to about 300 μm, or from about 200 μmto about 300 μm, or from about 225 μm to about 275 μm, or from about 240μm to about 270 μm.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate comprises, or consistsessentially of, or consists of microspheres of alumina, for instance,alumina having a purity of at least 98% alumina by chemical analysis,and having a d₁₀ of at least about 100 μm and a d₉₀ of no greater thanabout 450 μm. In such embodiments, the inorganic particulate material(i.e., alumina) may have a density of from about 3.0 to about 3.8 cc/g,for example, from about 3.0 to about 3.2 cc/g, or from about 3.5 toabout 3.7 cc/g.

Said inorganic particulate material may have a d₁₀ of at least about 130μm and/or a d₉₀ of no greater than about 400 μm, or a d₁₀ of at leastabout 140 μm and a d₉₀ of no greater than about 395 μm. Said inorganicparticulate material may additionally have a d₅₀ of from about 200 μm toabout 300 μm, for example, from about 240 μm to about 270 μm, or fromabout 250 μm to about 260 μm.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate, for example, aninorganic particulate comprising, consisting essentially of, orconsisting of microspheres of expanded spherical perlite, has abrightness as determined in accordance with ASTM E313 of from about 65%to about 75%, for example, from about 67% to about 74%, or from about69% to about 73%.

The personal care cleansing composition comprising inorganic particulatematerial may be characterised in terms of its abrasiveness. This may bedetermined by in accordance with the abrasive scrub test methoddescribed in the Example. In certain embodiments, the personal carecleansing composition comprising inorganic particulate material has anabrasiveness, expressed as a percentage of gloss retained at 20°, offrom about 30% to about 99%, or from about 35% to about 90%, or fromabout 40% to less than 90%, or from about 50% to about 85%, or fromabout 60% to about 85%, or from about 70% to about 80%, or from about80% to about 85%. In certain embodiments, the personal care cleansingcomposition comprising inorganic particulate material has anabrasiveness of at equal to or greater than about 75%, for example,equal to or greater than about 80%, or equal to or greater than about85%.

In certain embodiments, the total amount of inorganic particulatematerial present in the personal care cleansing composition is an amountof from about 0.1 wt. % to about 40 wt. %, based on the total weight ofthe personal care cleansing composition, for example, from about 0.1 wt.% to about 30 wt. %, or from about 0.1 wt. % to about 20 wt. %, or fromabout 0.1 wt. % to about 15 wt. %, or from about 0.1 wt. % to about 10wt. %, or from about 0.1 wt. % to about 9.0 wt. %, or from about 0.2 wt.% to about 8.0 wt. %, or from about 0.3 wt. % to about 7.0 wt. %, orfrom about 0.4 wt. % to about 6.0 wt. %, or from about 0.5 wt. % toabout 5.0 wt. %, or from about 0.5 wt. % to about 4.0 wt. %, or fromabout 0.5 wt. % to about 3.0 wt. %, or from about 0.5 wt. % to about 2.0wt. %, or from about 0.75 wt. % to about 5.0 wt. %, or from about 0.75wt. % to about 3.0 wt. %, or from about 0.75 wt. % to about 2.5 wt. %,or from about 1 wt. % about 3.0 wt. %, or from about 1.5 wt. % to about5.0 wt. %, or from about 2.0 wt. % to about 10 wt. %, or from about 2.0wt. % to about 5.0 wt. %, or from about 2.5 wt. % to about 5 wt. %, orfrom about 3.0 wt. % to about 10 wt. %, or from about 3.0 wt. % to about8 wt. %.

In certain embodiments, the total amount of inorganic particulatematerial present in the personal care cleaning composition is an amountof from about 0.5 to about 5.0 wt. %, based on the total weight of thepersonal care cleansing composition.

Base and Additional Components

In certain embodiments; the cosmetically acceptable base is in the forma liquid, gel, emulsion, lotion or paste. In certain embodiments, thebase is a gel. In certain embodiments, the base is a liquid. In certainembodiments, the cosmetically acceptable base comprises or constitutesthe components of the composition other than the inorganic particulatematerial.

Thus, the personal care cleansing composition may contain one or moreadditional components, as described herein.

In certain embodiments, the personal care cleansing composition willcomprise water, which may be present in an amount of from about 10 wt. %to about 95 wt. %, based on the total weight of the personal carecleansing composition, for example, from about 20 wt. % to about 90 wt.%, or from about 30 wt. % to about 90 wt. %, or from about 40 wt. % toabout 80 wt. %, or from about 50 wt. % to about 75 wt. %, or from about50 wt. % to about 70 wt. %. The skilled person will be able to selectsuitable amounts of water for incorporation in the base, based on theamount of the component in the final composition.

In certain embodiments, the personal care cleansing compositioncomprises one or more surfactants. As described herein, the one or moresurfactants may constitute the detergent base of the gel. The one ormore surfactants may be selected from zwitterionic, anionic, non-ionicand amphoteric surfactants, and mixtures thereof.

In certain embodiments, the surfactant(s) are present in the personalcare cleansing composition in a total amount ranging from about 1 wt. %to about 60 wt. %, based on the total weight of the personal carecleansing composition, for example, from about 5 wt. % to about 50 wt.%, or from about 5 wt. % to about 30 wt. %. The skilled person will beable to select suitable amounts of surfactant for incorporation in thebase, based on the amount of surfactant in the final composition.

Suitable zwitterionic surfactants include, but are not limited to,derivatives of aliphatic quaternary ammonium, phosphonium, and sulfoniumcompounds, in which the aliphatic radicals can be straight or branchedchain, and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about8 to about 18 carbon atoms and one substituent contains an anionicgroup, e.g., carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, or phosphonate.Illustrative zwitterionics are coco dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine,cocoamidopropyl betaine, cocobetaine, oleyl betaine, cetyl dimethylcarboxymethyl betaine, lauryl bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) carboxymethylbetaine, stearyl bis-(2-hydroxypropyl) carboxymethyl betaine, oleyldimethyl gamma-carboxypropyl betaine, laurylbis-(2-hydroxypropyl)alpha-carboxyethyl betaine, and mixtures thereof.The sulfobetaines may include stearyl dimethyl sulfopropyl betaine,lauryl dimethyl sulfoethyl betaine, lauryl bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)sulfopropyl betaine and mixtures thereof.

Suitable anionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, ammoniumlauryl sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, triethylamine lauryl sulfate,triethylamine laureth sulfate, triethanolamine lauryl sulfate,triethanolamine laureth sulfate, monoethanolamine lauryl sulfate,monoethanolamine laureth sulfate, diethanolamine lauryl sulfate,diethanolamine laureth sulfate, lauric monoglyceride sodium sulfate,sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, potassium laurethsulfate, sodium lauryl sarcosinate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate,potassium lauryl sulfate, sodium trideceth sulfate, sodium methyllauroyl taurate, sodium lauroyl isethionate, sodium laurethsulfosuccinate, sodium lauroyl sulfosuccinate, sodium tridecyl benzenesulfonate, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, sodium lauryl amphoacetate,sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium methylcocoyl taurate and mixtures thereof. The anionic surfactant may be, forexample, an aliphatic sulfonate, such as a primary C₈-C₂₂ alkanesulfonate, primary C₈-C₂₂ alkane disulfonate, C₈-C₂₂ alkene sulfonate,C₈-C₂₂ hydroxyalkane sulfonate or alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonate.

Suitable non-ionic surfactants include the reaction products ofcompounds having a hydrophobic group and a reactive hydrogen atom. Theseinclude alcohols, acids, amides or alkyl phenols reacted with alkyleneoxides, especially ethylene oxide either alone or with propylene oxide.Exemplary non-ionics are C₆-C₂₂ alkyl phenols-ethylene oxidecondensates, the condensation products of C₈-C₁₈ aliphatic primary orsecondary linear or branched alcohols with ethylene oxide, and productsmade by condensation of ethylene oxide with the reaction products ofpropylene oxide and ethylenediamine. Other nonionics include long chaintertiary amine oxides, long chain tertiary phosphine oxides and dialkylsulphoxides. Other non-ionics are surfactants based on cocoamide andproduced by reacting cocoamide with an alcohol amine, such asethanolamine. Exemplary non-ionics include cocoamide MEA and cocoamideDEA. Other suitable non-ionics include alkyl polyglucosides such asdecyl glucoside, lauryl glucoside and octyl glucoside. Also useful arethe alkyl polysaccharides.

Suitable cationic surfactants include, but are not limited, tooctenidine dihydrochloride, permanently charged quaternary ammoniumsurfactants such as alkyltrimethylammonium salts (e.g., cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, cetyl trimethylammonium chloride),cetylpyridinium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride,5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane, dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride,cetrimonium bromide and dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide.

These surfactants serve primarily as a cleansing agent, i.e.,constituting or forming part of the detergent component of thecomposition. These surfactants may comprise up to about 50 wt. % of thecomposition, based on the total weight of the composition, for example,from about 1 wt. % to about 45 wt. % of the composition, or at leastabout 5 wt. %, or at least about 10 wt. %, or at least about 15 wt. %,or at least about 20 wt. %, or at least about 25 wt. % of thecomposition.

In certain embodiments in which the personal care cleansing compositionis a hair shampoo, the hair shampoo comprises one or more of sodiumlaureth sulfate, sodium C₁₄₋₁₆ olefin sulfonate, sodium laurylsulfoacetate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate,cocoamidopropyl betaine, cocoamide MEA, and mixtures thereof.

In certain embodiments in which the hair shampoo is an anti-dandruffshampoo, the shampoo additionally comprises one or more additives, i.e.,chemicals, for treating dandruff. In certain embodiments, the additivefor treating dandruff, i.e., anti-dandruff chemical is one or more ofzinc pyrithone, a corticosteroid, an imidazole antifungal agent such as,for example, ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, and a hydoxypiridone suchas, for example, ciclopirox. In certain embodiments, the anti-dandruffchemical comprises or is zinc pyrithone. In certain embodiments, theanti-dandruff chemical comprises or is ketoconazole. The anti-dandruffchemical may be used in a suitable, e.g., effective, amount. Suitableamounts may range from about 0.1 wt. % to about 5 wt. %, based on thetotal weight of the hair shampoo, for example, from about 0.1 wt. % toabout 3 wt. %, or from about 0.1 wt. % to about 2 wt. %. The skilledperson will be able to select suitable amounts of anti-dandruffchemical(s) for incorporation in the base, based on the amount ofanti-dandruff chemical(s) in the final composition.

In certain embodiments, the shampoo comprises conditioning (anti-static)surfactants to soothe the scalp after washing with the anti-dandruffshampoo. Exemplary conditioning surfactants are hydroxypropyltrimoniumchloride and polyglycerol laurate.

In certain embodiments, the personal care cleansing compositioncomprises one or more thickening agents or suspending agents (e.g.,rheology modifier). Such agents may enhance the stability of theinorganic particulate material dispersed throughout the gel. Suitablethickening agents include water soluble/dispersable polymers, which maybe cationic, anionic, amphoteric or non-ionic with molecular weightstypically greater than about 100,000 Daltons. Such agents may also serveto increase the viscosity of the personal care cleansing composition.Exemplary thickening or suspending agents include carbohydrate gums suchas cellulose gum, microcrystalline cellulose, cellulose gel,hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, sodiumcarboxymethylcellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, guar gum, gumkaraya, gum tragacanth, gum arabic, gum acacia, gum agar, xanthan gumand mixtures thereof; modified and nonmodified starch granules andpregelatinized cold water soluble starch; emulsion polymers; cationicpolymer such as modified polysaccharides; cationic modified cellulose;synthetic cationic polymer; cationic starches; cationic galactomannans;and high molecular weight polyethylene glycols, esters of ethyleneglycol or esters of polyethylene glycol. Other suitablethickening/suspending agents include for example polyacrylic acid,copolymers and cross-linked polymers of acrylic acid, copolymers ofacrylic acid with a hydrophobic monomer, copolymers of carboxylicacid-containing monomers and acrylic esters, cross-linked copolymers ofacrylic acid and acrylate esters.

A thickening agent or suspending agent, such as a rheologoy modifier,when present, may be present in a total amount of from about 0.1 wt. %to about 50 wt. % by weight, based on the total weight of the personalcare cleansing composition, for example, from about 0.1 wt. % to about35 wt. %, or from about 0.1 wt. % to about 20 wt. %, or from about 0.1wt. % to about 10 wt. %, or from about 0.1 wt. % to about 5 wt. %. Theskilled person will be able to select suitable amounts of each componentfor incorporation in the base, based on the amount of the component inthe final composition.

The personal care cleansing composition may contain other componentsconventionally found in cosmetic applications for skin and hair,including, without limitation, skin conditioning/moisturising agents,hair conditioning/moisturising agents perfumes, fragrances, opacifiers,pearlescing agents, colourings, preservatives, chelating agents,humectants, herb and/or plant extracts, essential oils, proteins, pHadjusting agents, and anti-microbials. The total amount of othercomponents may be present in amount of from about 0.1 to about 30 wt. %,based on the total weight of the personal care cleansing composition,for example, from about 0.1 wt. % to about 20 wt. %, or from about 0.1wt. % to about 15 wt. %, or from about 0.5 wt. % to about 10 wt. %, orfrom about 1 wt. % to about 10 wt. %, or from about 1 wt. % about 5 wt.%. The skilled person will be able to select suitable amounts of eachcomponent for incorporation in the base, based on the amount of thecomponent in the final composition.

A suitable amount of pH adjusting agent may be added, if necessary, toadjust the pH of the composition, particularly if the composition is apersonal care composition. For example, as described above, a desirablepH range for shower or bath gels is typically from about 5.75 to 7. Adesirable pH for shampoos is slightly wider from about 5 to 7. Mostshampoos typically have a lower pH (around 5.5 to 6) than shower gels tomatch the hairs' natural acidity of around 4.5 to 5.5. Suitable pHadjusting agents in sodium hydroxide, sodium chloride and citric acid.

Method of Making Personal Care Cleaning Composition

Personal care cleansing compositions in accordance with certainembodiments of the present invention may be made by conventional methodsof preparing personal care cleansing compositions, e.g., shower gels oranti-dandruff shampoos.

Generally, for gel based compositions, the inorganic particulatematerials are incorporated in the gel by combining the gel and inorganicparticulate material in suitable amounts. The step of combining mayinclude mixing, for example, shear mixing. Before, during or afterincorporation of the inorganic particulate material, any additionalcomponents may be added to the gel base. If the gel is an emulsion ofsurfactant and water, the emulsion will normally be prepared first,followed by combining with the inorganic particulate material and anyother additional components.

The gel based cleansing composition may be used in a similar way toconventional exfoliating compositions, i.e., a suitable amount of thecomposition is applied to wetted or washed skin and the compositionmassaged on the skin. The initial scrub feel will gradually subside asthe composition is worked in.

Generally, for hair shampoos, e.g., anti-dandruff shampoo, the shampoois formulated by incorporating and combining the inorganic particulatematerials and the components of the cosmetically acceptable base insuitable amounts. The step of combining may include mixing, for example,shear mixing. Before, during or after incorporation of the inorganicparticulate material, any additional components, such as anti-dandruffchemical(s) may be added to the base. If the cosmetically acceptablebase is an emulsion of surfactant and water, the emulsion may beprepared first, followed by combining with the inorganic particulatematerial and any other additional components, such as the anti-dandruffchemical(s).

Treating Dandruff

The anti-dandruff shampoo may be used in a similar way to conventionalanti-dandruff shampoo, i.e., a suitable amount of the composition istopically applied to wetted hair and the composition worked in to thehair and massaged into the scalp. As described herein, the presence ofthe inorganic particulate material may enhances the exfoliation of theskin of the scalp, serving to reduce or even eliminate dandruff duringthe washing process. In certain embodiments, the combination ofanti-dandruff chemical(s) and inorganic particulate material provides asynergistic improve in treating dandruff, i.e., the anti-dandruffproperties of the hair shampoo comprising the inorganic particulatematerial is enhanced compared to a comparable anti-dandruff shampooabsent the inorganic particulate material. In certain embodiments, theamount of anti-dandruff chemical(s) effective to treat or preventdandruff may be reduced when the inorganic particulate material isutilised in the hair shampoo.

As such, in certain embodiments, there is provided a method of treatingor preventing dandruff in a subject (e.g., a mammalian subject, such asa human), said method comprising administering by topical application aneffective amount of a hair shampoo as describe herein such that dandruffis treated or prevented. The hair shampoo may topically applied over aperiod of time, for example, over a week, or two weeks, or three weeks,or a calendar month or months (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, seven,eight, nine, ten, eleven months) or over a year or more than a year,e.g., two years, or three, years, or four years, or five years). Thehair shampoo applied daily over the period of time, or applied everyother day over the period of time, or applied tri-weekly over the periodof time, or applied twice weekly over the period of time, or appliedweekly over the period of time.

For the avoidance of doubt, the present application is directed to thesubject-matter described in the following numbered paragraphs:

1. A personal care cleansing composition comprising:

a cosmetically acceptable base; and

an inorganic particulate material selected from the group consisting ofperlite, vermiculite, alumina, nepheline and mixtures thereof.

2. The personal care cleansing composition according to numberedparagraph 1, wherein the inorganic particulate material is perlite andthe perlite is a spherical perlite.

3. The personal care cleansing composition according to numberedparagraph 1 or 2, wherein the perlite or spherical perlite is expandedperlite, optionally wherein the expanded perlite has not been milled.

4. The personal care cleansing composition according to numberedparagraph 2 or 3, wherein the spherical perlite comprises microspheres,for example, wherein at least 80 wt. % of the spherical perlite ismicrospheres.

5. The personal care cleansing composition according to numberedparagraph 4, wherein the microspheres are substantially closed andhollow.

6. The personal care cleansing composition according to any precedingnumbered paragraph, wherein the inorganic particulate has a d₅₀ of nogreater than about 500 μm, for example, no greater than about 400 μm.

7. The personal care cleansing composition according to numberedparagraph 6, wherein the inorganic particulate material has a d₁₀ of atleast about 30 μm and a d₉₀ of no greater than about 500 μm, forexample, a d10 of at least about 30 μm and a d₉₀ of no greater thanabout 400 μm.

8. The personal care cleansing composition according to any precedingnumbered paragraph, wherein the inorganic particulate material has adensity of from about 0.10 to about 4.0 g/cc.

9. The personal care cleansing composition according to any precedingnumbered paragraph, wherein the inorganic particulate material has adensity of from about 0.10 to about 2.0 g/cc, for example, from about0.10 to about 1.0 g/cc.

10. The personal care cleansing composition according to numberedparagraph 9, wherein the inorganic particulate material has a density offrom about 0.20 to about 0.50 g/cc.

11. The personal care cleansing composition according to numberedparagraph 1, wherein the inorganic particulate comprises, or consistsessentially of, or consists of, microspheres of expanded sphericalperlite and having a d₁₀ of at least about 50 μm and a d₉₀ of no greaterthan about 450 μm, and optionally a density of from about 0.20 to about0.50 g/cc.

12. The personal care cleansing composition according to numberedparagraph 11, wherein the inorganic particulate has a d₁₀ of at leastabout 150 μm, for example, at least about 180 μm, and optionally a d₅₀of from about 220 μm to about 280 μm.

13. The personal care cleansing composition according to numberedparagraph 11, wherein the inorganic particulate material has a d₁₀ of atleast about 10 μm, for example, at least about 80 μm, and a d₉₀ of nogreater than about 450 μm, for example, no greater than about 300 μm.

14. The personal care cleansing composition according to numberedparagraph 1, wherein the inorganic particulate comprises, or consistsessentially of, or consists of, microspheres of alumina and having a d₁₀of at least about 100 μm and a d₉₀ of no greater than about 450 μm, andoptionally a density of from about 3.0 to about 3.8 g/cc.

15. The personal care cleansing composition according to numberedparagraph 14, wherein the inorganic particulate material has a d₁₀ of atleast about 130 μm and/or a d₉₀ of no greater than about 400 μm, or ad₁₀ of at least about 140 μm and a d₉₀ of no greater than about 395 μm.

16. The personal care cleansing composition according to any precedingnumbered paragraph, wherein the inorganic particulate is present in anamount of from about 0.1 wt. % to about 20 wt. %, based on the totalweight of the personal care cleansing composition, optionally whereinthe personal care cleansing composition comprises from about 1 wt. % toabout 60 wt. % surfactant, water and optional additional componentsother than surfactant.

17. The personal care cleansing composition according to numberedparagraph 16, wherein the inorganic particulate is present in an amountof from about 0.5 wt. % to about 5 wt. %.

18. The personal care cleansing composition according to any precedingnumbered paragraph, further comprising one or more of: surfactant(s),thickening agent(s), suspending agent(s), skin conditioning/moisturisingagent(s), hair conditioning/moisturising agent(s), perfume(s),fragrance(s), opacifier(s), pearlescing agent(s), colouring(s),preservative(s), chelating agent(s), humectants(s), herb and/or plantextract(s), essential oil(s), protein(s), pH adjusting agent(s), andanti-microbial(s).

19. The personal care cleansing composition according to any precedingnumbered paragraph, wherein the cosmetically acceptable base is a gel.

20. The personal care cleansing composition according to numberedparagraph 19, wherein the skin cleansing composition is a shower gel orbath gel.

21. The personal care cleansing composition according to any one ofnumbered paragraphs 1-18, wherein the personal care composition is ahair shampoo, for example, an anti-dandruff shampoo, and thecosmetically acceptable base comprises components suitable for use in ahair shampoo.

22. A packaged product suitable for commerce comprising the personalcare cleansing composition according to any one of numbered paragraphs1-21.

23. Use of an inorganic particulate material as defined in any one ofnumbered paragraphs 1-17 in a personal care cleansing compositioncomprising a gel, for example, a shower gel.

24. Use according to numbered paragraph 23, wherein the inorganicparticulate material provides a scrub feel, skin exfoliation, or both.

25. Use of an inorganic particulate as defined in any one of numberedparagraphs 1-17 in a hair shampoo, for example, an anti-dandruffshampoo.

26. Use according to claim 25, wherein the inorganic particulatematerial aids or provides exfoliation of the skin of the scalp.

27. A method of treating or preventing dandruff, said method comprisingadministering by topical application an effective amount of a hairshampoo according to numbered paragraph 21 such that dandruff is treatedor prevented.

28. A hair shampoo according to numbered paragraph 21 for use intreating or preventing dandruff, optionally wherein the combination ofanti-dandruff chemical(s) and inorganic particulate material provides asynergistic improvement in treating dandruff.

29. The method according to numbered paragraph 27 or the hair shampoofor use according to numbered paragraph 28, wherein the hair shampoo istopically applied over a period of time, for example, over a week, ortwo weeks, or three weeks, or a calendar month.

30. A method for making a personal care cleansing composition accordingto anyone of claims 1-21, said method comprising combining acosmetically acceptable base, e.g., a gel, and inorganic particulatematerial as defined in any one of claims 1-21 in suitable amounts.

Second General Aspect

The term “cleaning composition” used herein means a composition which iscompatible with hard surfaces and/or tableware. In certain embodiments,the cleaning composition is a hard surface cleansing composition ortableware cleansing composition. It is an advantage of the compositionsaccording to the present invention that they may be used toclean/cleanse inanimate surfaces made of a variety of materials likeglazed and non-glazed ceramic tiles, enamel, stainless steel, Inox®,Formica®, vinyl, no-wax vinyl, linoleum, melamine, glass, plastics,Teflon®, painted surfaces and the like.

The term “hard surface cleansing composition” or “tableware cleansingcomposition” as used herein means a composition comprising a solid(e.g., a powder), or a liquid, such as a gel of water and bases (e.g.,liquid soap). Liquid compositions include compositions having awater-like viscosity as well as thickened compositions, such as gels andpastes.

In certain embodiments herein, the compositions herein are neutralcompositions, and thus have a pH, as is measured at 25° C., of 6-8, morepreferably 6.5-7.5, even more preferably 7. In other embodiments, thecompositions have pH above pH 4 and alternatively have pH below pH 10.In certain embodiments, the cleaning composition has a pH of from 7 to9, for example, a pH of about 8.

Accordingly, the compositions herein may comprise suitable bases andacids to adjust the pH.

A suitable base to be used herein is an organic and/or inorganic base.Suitable bases for use herein are the caustic alkalis, such as sodiumhydroxide, potassium hydroxide and/or lithium hydroxide, and/or thealkali metal oxides such, as sodium and/or potassium oxide or mixturesthereof. In some embodiments, the base is a caustic alkali, morepreferably sodium hydroxide and/or potassium hydroxide. Other suitablebases include ammonia, ammonium carbonate, all available carbonate saltssuch as K₂CO₃, Na₂CO₃, CaCO₃, MgCO₃, etc., alkanolamines (as e.g.monoethanolamine), urea and urea derivatives, polyamine, etc.

Typical levels of such bases, when present, are of from 0.01% to 5.0%,preferably from 0.05% to 3.0% and more preferably from 0.1% to 0.6% byweight of the total composition.

The compositions herein may comprise an acid to trim its pH to therequired level, despite the presence of an acid, if any, thecompositions herein will maintain their neutral to alkaline, preferablyalkaline, pH as described herein above. A suitable acid for use hereinis an organic and/or an inorganic acid. A preferred organic acid for useherein has a pKa of less than 6. A suitable organic acid is selectedfrom the group consisting of citric acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid,succinic acid, glutaric acid and adipic acid and a mixture thereof. Amixture of said acids may be commercially available from BASF under thetrade name Sokalan® DCS. A suitable inorganic acid is selected from thegroup consisting hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid anda mixture thereof.

A typical level of such an acid, when present, is of from 0.01% to 5.0%,preferably from 0.04% to 3.0% and more preferably from 0.05% to 1.5% byweight of the total composition.

In one embodiment according to the present invention the compositionsherein are thickened compositions. Preferably, the liquid compositionsherein have a viscosity of up to 7500 cps at 20 s⁻¹, more preferablyfrom 5000 cps to 50 cps, yet more preferably from 2000 cps to 50 cps andmost preferably from 1500 cps to 300 cps at 20 s⁻¹ and 20° C. whenmeasured with a Rheometer, model AR 1000 (Supplied by TA Instruments)with a 4 cm conic spindle in stainless steel, 2° angle (linear incrementfrom 0.1 to 100 sec⁻¹ in max. 8 minutes).

In another embodiment according to the present invention thecompositions herein have a water-like viscosity. By “water-likeviscosity” it is meant herein a viscosity that is close to that ofwater. Preferably the liquid compositions herein have a viscosity of upto 50 cps at 60 rpm, more preferably from 0 cps to 30 cps, yet morepreferably from 0 cps to 20 cps and most preferably from 0 cps to 10 cpsat 60 rpm and 20° C. when measured with a Brookfield digital viscometermodel DV II, with spindle 2.

The term “gel” used herein includes a phase having gel-like properties,such as low or negligible flow on standing, or a liquid phase of lowviscosity. For instance, a gel may be a colloidal suspension of solidsdispersed in a liquid or a sol. In certain embodiments, the gel has aBrookfield viscosity of at least about 0.5 Pa·s (at 100 rpm RV spindle6) and optionally no greater than about 100 Pa·s (at 1 rpm RV spindle6). Additionally or alternatively, the gel may have a specific gravityranging from about 0.9 to about 1.2, for example, from about 1.0 toabout 1.1. In certain embodiments, the gel is an emulsion of water anddetergent base. The detergent base may comprise a surfactant or mixtureof surfactants, as described herein. In certain embodiments, the gel maybe thixotropic, i.e., gel-like at rest but fluid when agitated (e.g.,shaken or squeezed).

The cleaning composition (e.g., hard surface cleansing composition ortableware cleansing composition) may be provided in a packaged productsuitable for commerce (e.g., tub, tube, bottle, packet, sachet,canister, dispenser, and the like).

The Inorganic Particulate Material

Surprisingly, it has been found that inorganic particulate materials inaccordance with the first aspect of the invention provide gentlescrubbing action properties when included in a cleaning composition. Incertain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material has been foundto be mildly abrasive. In certain embodiments described herein, theinorganic particulate is in the form of spheres or microspheres whichare substantially hollow. In certain embodiments, continued mechanicalaction breaks down the hollow spheres or microspheres further enhancingthe gentle scrubbing action of the cleaning composition.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material is selectedfrom the group consisting of spherical perlite, alumina (e.g., sphericalalumina), vermiculite, nepheline and mixtures thereof.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material comprises,consists essentially of, or consists of: (i) spherical perlite; or (ii)alumina (e.g., spherical alumina); or (iii) vermiculite; or (iv)nepheline.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material is selectedfrom the group consisting of spherical perlite, alumina, and mixturesthereof.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material is selectedfrom the group consisting of spherical perlite, spherical alumina, andmixtures thereof.

In certain embodiments in which the inorganic particulate materialcomprises, consists essentially of, or consists of spherical perlite. By“spherical” is meant that individual particles of the inorganicparticulate material have a generally (but not necessarily geometricallyregular) spherical, spheroidal and/or ovoidal morphology, i.e.,generally non-angular, as viewed using an optical microscope (e.g., aKeyence VHX-1000). For example, a spherical particle may have aroundness of 1.15 or less, or 1.10 or less, or 1.05 or less. Theroundness of a particulate may be determined in accordance with thefollowing method. An image of the particulate sample is taken using anoptical microscope (e.g., a Keyence VHX-100) on a contrastingbackground. The image is then transferred and opened using Leica LASImage Analysis Software by Leica Microsystems, Sol ms, Germany (see:http://www.leica-microsystems.com/products/microscope-software/materials-sciences/details/product/leica-las-image-analysis/downloads/).A sample of about 100 particles is then drawn around and the roundnesscalculated by the software.

In certain embodiments, the spherical perlite is expanded perlite.Typically, expanded perlite includes one or more cells, or parts ofcells, in which a cell is a void space partially or entirely surroundedby walls of glass, usually formed from expansion of gases when the glassis in the softened state. Processes for expanding perlite are well knownin the art, and include heating perlite in air to a temperature of leastabout 700° C., typically between 800° C. and 1100° C., in an expansionfurnace. Exemplary processes for producing expanded perlite aredescribed in US-A-20060075930, the entire contents of which is herebyincorporated by reference. Expanded perlite typically has a bulk volumeup to 20 times that of the unexpanded material.

In certain embodiments, the spherical perlite is in the form ofmicrospheres. The microspheres may be hollow or solid. In certainembodiments, the microspheres are hollow, for example, substantiallyclosed and hollow. In certain embodiments, the microspheres aresubstantially closed cell structures, e.g., sealed cavities normallyfilled with air. In certain embodiments, at least 50 wt. % of theperlite is in the form of microspheres, for example, at least about 60wt. %, or at least about 70 wt. %, or at least about 80 wt. %, or atleast about 90 wt. %, or at least about 95 wt. %, or at least about 99wt. %, or substantially 100 wt. % of the perlite is in the form ofmicrospheres. Perlite in the form of microspheres can be formed inaccordance with the methods described in WO-A-2013053635, the entirecontents of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Generally, inthis process, perlite ore and propellant is fed into an upright furnaceand falls along a drop section through multiple heating zones in afurnace shaft of the furnace. The perlite ore is heated to a criticaltemperature at which the surfaces of the perlite plasticize and perlitegrains are expanded on the basis of the propellant.

In certain embodiments, the spherical perlite, be it expanded sphericalor expanded microspherical, is not milled, i.e., the spherical perliteis not an expanded milled perlite.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material comprises,consists essentially of, or consists of alumina (e.g., sphericalalumina), optionally excluding non-spherical and non-microsphericalfused alumina having a density of greater than about 3.9 g/cc. Incertain embodiments, the alumina is of high purity, typically comprisingat least about 95.0% alumina by chemical analysis, or at least about98.0% alumina, or at least about 98.5% alumina, or at least about 99.0%alumina, or at least about 99.5% alumina.

In certain embodiments in which the inorganic particulate materialcomprises, consists essentially of, or consists of, alumina, the aluminais substantially spherical alumina.

In certain embodiments, the alumina is in the form of microspheres,which may be substantially closed and hollow. In certain embodiments, atleast 50 wt. % of the alumina is in the form of microspheres, forexample, at least about 60 wt. %, or at least about 70 wt. %, or atleast about 80 wt. %, or at least about 90 wt. %, or at least about 95wt. %, or at least about 99 wt. %, or substantially 100 wt. % of thealumina is in the form of microspheres. An exemplary microsphericalalumina is Alodur® bubble alumina, available from Imerys Fused Minerals,Austria. Microspherical alumina, also sometimes referred to as aluminabubbles, can be produced by various methods known in the art.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material and, thus,the cleaning composition, is free of crystalline silica.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material has a d₉₀ ofno greater than about 500 μm, for example, no greater than about 475 μm,or no greater than about 450 μm, or no greater than about 425 μm, or nogreater than about 400 μm, or no greater than about 375 μm, or nogreater than about 350 μm, or no greater than about 325 μm, or nogreater than about 300 μm, or no greater than about 275 μm, or nogreater than about 250 μm, or no greater than about 225 μm, or nogreater than about 200 μm, no greater than about 175 μm, or no greaterthan about 150 μm, or no greater than about 125 μm, no greater thanabout 100 μm.

Unless otherwise specified, the particle size properties referred toherein for the inorganic particulate materials are as measured by thewell known conventional method employed in the art of laser lightscattering, using a CILAS 1064L particle size analyser, as supplied byCILAS (or by other methods which give essentially the same result). Inthe laser light scattering technique, the size of particles in powders,suspensions and emulsions may be measured using the diffraction of alaser beam, based on an application of Fraunhofer and Mie theory. Such amachine provides measurements and a plot of the cumulative percentage byvolume of particles having a size, referred to in the art as the‘equivalent spherical diameter’ (e.s.d), less than given e.s.d values.The mean particle size d₅₀ is the value determined in this way of theparticle e.s.d at which there are 50% by volume of the particles whichhave an equivalent spherical diameter less than that d₅₀ value. The d₁₀value is the value at which 10% by volume of the particles have an e.s.dless than that d₁₀ value. The d₉₀ value is the value at which 90% byweight of the particles have an e.s.d less than that d₉₀ value. The d₁₀₀value is the value at which 100% by volume of the particles have ane.s.d less than that d₁₀₀ value. The d₀ value is the value at which 0%by volume of the particles have an e.s.d less than that d₀ value. Thus,the d₀ measurement provides a measure of the smallest particles in anygiven sample (within the limits of measurement of the particle sizeanalyzer).

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material has a d₁₀ ofat least about 10 μm, for example, at least about 20 μm, or at leastabout 30 μm, or at least about 40 μm, or at least about 50 μm, or atleast about 75 μm, or at least about 80 μm, or at least about 85 μm, orat least about 90 μm, or at least about 95 μm, or at least about 100 μm.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particle material has a d₁₀ of atleast about 10 μm and a d₉₀ of no greater than about 500 μm, forexample, a d₁₀ of at least about 30 μm and a d₉₀ of no greater thanabout 500 μm a d₁₀ of at least about 50 μm and a d₉₀ of no greater thanabout 500 μm, or a d₁₀ of at least about 50 μm and a d₉₀ of no greaterthan about 475 μm, or a d₁₀ of at least about 75 μm and a d₉₀ of nogreater than about 475 μm, or a d₁₀ of at least about 90 μm and a d₉₀ ofno greater than about 475 μm, or a d₁₀ of at least about 90 μm and a d₉₀of no greater than about 450 μm. In said embodiments, the inorganicparticulate material may have a d₅₀ of from about 25 μm to about 350 μm,for example, from about 50 μm to about 350 μm, or from about 100 μm toabout 350μ, or from about 150 μm to about 350 μm, or from about 150 μmto about 250 μm, or from about 150 μm to about 200 μm, or from about 175μm to about 300 μm, or from about 175 μm to about 250 μm, or from about200 μm to about 300 μm, or from about 200 μm to about 275 μm, or fromabout 225 μm to about 275 μm, or from about 250 μm to about 350 μm, orfrom about 275 μm to about 325 μm, or from about 25 μm to about 100 μm,or from about 30 μm to about 80 μm, or from about 50 μm to about 100 μm,or from about 50 μm to about 75 μm.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material has a d₁₀₀ ofno greater than about 500 μm. In certain embodiments, the inorganicparticulate material has a d₀ of at least about 1 μm, or at least about5 μm, or at least about 10 μm.

Any particular particle size distribution may be obtained usingconventional methods known in the art, e.g., by screening. For example,screening may be carried out using an Alpine A-200 jet sieve, suppliedby Hosakawa Alpine, Germany, with screens provided by Haver & Bocker.The screen apertures may be selected depending on the particle sizedistribution required. For example, screens with apertures of 100 μm and500 μm may be used, particularly if it is desired to remove orsignificantly reduce oversized particles and undersized particles.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material has a densityof from about 0.10 to about 4.0 g/cc, for example, from about 0.10 toabout 3.8 g/cc, or from about 0.10 to about 3.5 g/cc, or from about 0.10to about 3.2 g/cc, or from about 0.10 to about 3.0 g/cc, or from about0.10 to about 2.5 g/cc, or from about 0.10 to about 2.0 g/cc, or fromabout 0.10 to about 1.9 g/cc, or from about 0.10 to about 1.8 g/cc, orfrom about 0.10 to about 1.7 g/cc, or from about 0.10 to about 1.6 g/cc,or from about 0.10 to about 1.5 g/cc, or from about 0.10 to about 1.4g/cc, or from about 0.10 to about 1.3 g/cc, or from about 0.10 to about1.2 g/cc, or from about 0.10 to about 1.1 g/cc, or from about 0.10 toabout 1.0 g/cc, or from about 0.10 to about 0.9 g/cc, or from about 0.10to about 0.8 g/cc, or from about 0.10 to about 0.7 g/cc, or from about0.10 to about 0.6 g/cc, or from about 0.10 to about 0.5 g/cc, or fromabout 0.10 to about 0.4 g/cc, or from about 0.20 to about 0.6 g/cc, orfrom about 0.20 to about 0.5 g/cc, or from about 0.20 to about 0.4 g/cc,or from about 0.25 to about 0.4 g/cc, or from about 0.30 to about 0.4g/cc.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate comprises, or consistsessentially of, or consists of microspheres of expanded sphericalperlite and having a d₁₀ of at least about 10 μm and a d₉₀ of no greaterthan about 150 μm, for example, a d₁₀ of at least about 15 μm and a d₉₀of no greater than about 135 μm, or a d₁₀ of at least about 20 μm and ad₉₀ of no greater than about 115 μm, or a d₁₀ of at least about 20 μmand a d₉₀ of no greater than about 100 μm. In such embodiments, theinorganic particulate (i.e., perlite) may have a density of from about0.20 to about 2.50 g/cc, for example, from about 1.00 to about 2.25g·cc, or from about 1.50 to about 2.25 g/cc, or from about 1.75 to about2.25 g/cc, or from about 1.80 to about 2.10 g/cc, or from about 1.90 toabout 2.00 g/cc. In certain embodiments, a cleaning compositioncomprising such an inorganic particulate material (i.e., microspheres ofexpanded spherical perlite) has an abrasiveness (% of gloss at 20°) ofat least about 90%, relative to a comparable cleaning composition absentsaid inorganic particulate material, for example, an abrasiveness offrom about 90% to about 97%, or from about 92 to about 96%.

Abrasiveness may be determined in accordance with the method describedherein. In such embodiments, the microspheres of expanded sphericalperlite may have a d₅₀ of from about 25 μm to about 100 μm, or fromabout 50 to about 75 μm.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate comprises, or consistsessentially of, or consists of microspheres of expanded sphericalperlite and having a d₁₀ of at least about 50 μm and a d₉₀ of no greaterthan about 450 μm, for example, a d₁₀ of at least about 70 μm and a d₉₀of no greater than about 420 μm, or a d₁₀ of at least about 80 μm and ad₉₀ of no greater than about 350 μm, or a d₁₀ of at least about 80 μmand a d₉₀ of no greater than about 300 μm. In such embodiments, theinorganic particulate (i.e., perlite) may have a density of from about0.20 to about 1.00 g/cc, for example, from about 0.30 g/cc to about 0.70g/cc, or from about, or from about 0.35 g/cc to about 0.65 g/cc. Saidinorganic particulate may have a d₅₀ of from about 150 μm to about 300μm, for example, from about 150 μm to about 200 μm, or from about 200 μmto about 300 μm, or from about 225 μm to about 275 μm, or from about 240μm to about 270 μm.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate comprises, or consistsessentially of, or consists of microspheres of alumina, for instance,spherical alumina having a purity of at least 98% alumina by chemicalanalysis, and having a d₁₀ of at least about 50 μm, for example, a d₁₀of at least about 100 μm and a d₉₀ of no greater than about 450 μm. Insuch embodiments, the inorganic particulate material (i.e., sphericalalumina) may have a density of from about 3.0 to about 3.8 g/cc, forexample, from about 3.0 to about 3.5 g/cc, or from about 3.1 to about3.4 g/cc, or from about 3.0 to about 3.2 g/cc, or from about 3.2 toabout 3.4 g/cc, or from about 3.5 to about 3.7 g/cc.

Said inorganic particulate material (i.e., spherical alumina) may have ad₁₀ of at least about 130 μm and/or a d₉₀ of no greater than about 400μm, or a d₁₀ of at least about 140 μm and a d₉₀ of no greater than about395 μm. Said inorganic particulate material may additionally have a d₅₀of from about 200 μm to about 300 μm, for example, from about 240 μm toabout 270 μm, or from about 250 μm to about 260 μm. Said inorganicparticulate material may have a d₁₀ of at least about 50 μm and/or a d₉₀of no greater than about 250 μm, and may additionally have a d₅₀ of fromabout 100 μm to about 200 μm. For example, the inorganic particulatematerial may have a d₅₀ of at least about 50 μm, a d₉₀ of no greaterthan about 225 μm or even no greater than about 210 μm, and a d₅₀ offrom about 125 μm to about 175 μm, for example, from about 140 um toabout 160 μm.

The cleaning composition comprising inorganic particulate material maybe characterised in terms of its abrasiveness. This may be determined byin accordance with the abrasive scrub test method described in theExample. In certain embodiments, the cleaning composition comprisinginorganic particulate material has an abrasiveness, expressed as apercentage of gloss retained at 20°, of from about 30% to about 99%, orfrom about 35% to about 90%, or from about 40% to less than 90%, or fromabout 50% to about 85%, or from about 60% to about 85%, or from about70% to about 80%, or from about 80% to about 85%. In certainembodiments, the cleaning composition comprising inorganic particulatematerial has an abrasiveness of at equal to or greater than about 75%,for example, equal to or greater than about 80%, or equal to or greaterthan about 85%, or equal to or greater than about 90%.

In certain embodiments, the total amount of inorganic particulatematerial present in the cleaning composition is an amount of from about0.01 wt. % to about 40 wt. %, based on the total weight of the cleaningcomposition, for example, from about 0.05 wt. % to about 30 wt. %, orfrom about 0.1 wt. % to about 20 wt. %, or from about 0.1 wt. % to about15 wt. %, or from about 0.1 wt. % to about 10 wt. %, or from about 0.1wt. % to about 9.0 wt. %, or from about 0.2 wt. % to about 8.0 wt. %, orfrom about 0.3 wt. % to about 7.0 wt. %, or from about 0.4 wt. % toabout 6.0 wt. %, or from about 0.5 wt. % to about 5.0 wt. %, or fromabout 0.5 wt. % to about 4.0 wt. %, or from about 0.5 wt. % to about 3.0wt. %, or from about 0.5 wt. % to about 2.0 wt. %, or from about 0.75wt. % to about 5.0 wt. %, or from about 0.75 wt. % to about 3.0 wt. %,or from about 0.75 wt. % to about 2.5 wt. %, or from about 1 wt. % about3.0 wt. %, or from about 1.5 wt. % to about 5.0 wt. %, or from about 2.0wt. % to about 10 wt. %, or from about 2.0 wt. % to about 5.0 wt. %, orfrom about 2.5 wt. % to about 5 wt. %, or from about 3.0 wt. % to about10 wt. %, or from about 3.0 wt. % to about 8 wt. %.

In certain embodiments, the total amount of inorganic particulatematerial present in the cleaning composition is an amount of from about0.1 to about 5.0 wt. %, based on the total weight of the cleaningcomposition, for example, from about 0.5 to about 2.5 wt. %, or fromabout 0.5 to about 1.5 wt. %.

Base and Additional Components

In certain embodiments, the base is in the form a liquid, gel, emulsion,lotion or paste. In certain embodiments, the base is a gel. In certainembodiments, the base is a liquid. In certain embodiments, the detergentbase comprises or constitutes the components of the composition otherthan the inorganic particulate material.

Thus, the cleaning composition may contain one or more additionalcomponents, as described herein.

In certain embodiments, the cleaning composition will comprise water,which may be present in an amount of from about 10 wt. % to about 95 wt.%, based on the total weight of the cleaning composition, for example,from about 20 wt. % to about 90 wt. %, or from about 30 wt. % to about90 wt. %, or from about 40 wt. % to about 80 wt. %, or from about 50 wt.% to about 75 wt. %, or from about 50 wt. % to about 70 wt. %.

The skilled person will be able to select suitable amounts of water forincorporation in the base, based on the amount of the component in thefinal composition.

In certain embodiments, the cleaning composition comprises one or moresurfactants. As described herein, the one or more surfactants mayconstitute the detergent base of the gel. The one or more surfactantsmay be selected from zwitterionic, anionic, non-ionic and amphotericsurfactants, and mixtures thereof.

In certain embodiments, the surfactant(s) are present in the cleaningcomposition in a total amount ranging from about 1 wt. % to about 60 wt.%, based on the total weight of the cleaning composition, for example,from about 5 wt. % to about 50 wt. %, or from about 5 wt. % to about 30wt. %. The skilled person will be able to select suitable amounts ofsurfactant for incorporation in the base, based on the amount ofsurfactant in the final composition.

Suitable zwitterionic surfactants include, but are not limited to,derivatives of aliphatic quaternary ammonium, phosphonium, and sulfoniumcompounds, in which the aliphatic radicals can be straight or branchedchain, and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about8 to about 18 carbon atoms and one substituent contains an anionicgroup, e.g., carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, or phosphonate.Illustrative zwitterionics are coco dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine,cocoamidopropyl betaine, cocobetaine, oleyl betaine, cetyl dimethylcarboxymethyl betaine, lauryl bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) carboxymethylbetaine, stearyl bis-(2-hydroxypropyl) carboxymethyl betaine, oleyldimethyl gamma-carboxypropyl betaine, laurylbis-(2-hydroxypropyl)alpha-carbon/ethyl betaine, and mixtures thereof.The sulfobetaines may include stearyl dimethyl sulfopropyl betaine,lauryl dimethyl sulfoethyl betaine, lauryl bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)sulfopropyl betaine and mixtures thereof.

Suitable anionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, ammoniumlauryl sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, triethylamine lauryl sulfate,triethylamine laureth sulfate, triethanolamine lauryl sulfate,triethanolamine laureth sulfate, monoethanolamine lauryl sulfate,monoethanolamine laureth sulfate, diethanolamine lauryl sulfate,diethanolamine laureth sulfate, lauric monoglyceride sodium sulfate,sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, potassium laurethsulfate, sodium lauryl sarcosinate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate,potassium lauryl sulfate, sodium trideceth sulfate, sodium methyllauroyl taurate, sodium lauroyl isethionate, sodium laurethsulfosuccinate, sodium lauroyl sulfosuccinate, sodium tridecyl benzenesulfonate, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, sodium lauryl amphoacetate,sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium methylcocoyl taurate and mixtures thereof. The anionic surfactant may be, forexample, an aliphatic sulfonate, such as a primary C₈-C₂₂ alkanesulfonate, primary C₈-C₂₂ alkane disulfonate, C₈-C₂₂ alkene sulfonate,C₈-C₂₂ hydroxyalkane sulfonate or alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonate.

Suitable non-ionic surfactants include the reaction products ofcompounds having a hydrophobic group and a reactive hydrogen atom. Theseinclude alcohols, acids, amides or alkyl phenols reacted with alkyleneoxides, especially ethylene oxide either alone or with propylene oxide.Exemplary non-ionics are C₆-C₂₂ alkyl phenols-ethylene oxidecondensates, the condensation products of C₈-C₁₈ aliphatic primary orsecondary linear or branched alcohols with ethylene oxide, and productsmade by condensation of ethylene oxide with the reaction products ofpropylene oxide and ethylenediamine. Other nonionics include long chaintertiary amine oxides, long chain tertiary phosphine oxides and dialkylsulphoxides. Other non-ionics are surfactants based on cocoamide andproduced by reacting cocoamide with an alcohol amine, such asethanolamine. Exemplary non-ionics include cocoamide MEA and cocoamideDEA. Other suitable non-ionics include alkyl polyglucosides such asdecyl glucoside, lauryl glucoside and octyl glucoside. Also useful arethe alkyl polysaccharides.

Suitable cationic surfactants include, but are not limited, tooctenidine dihydrochloride, permanently charged quaternary ammoniumsurfactants such as alkyltrimethylammonium salts (e.g., cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, cetyl trimethylammonium chloride),cetylpyridinium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride,5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane, dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride,cetrimonium bromide and dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide.

These surfactants serve primarily as a cleansing agent, i.e.,constituting or forming part of the detergent component of thecomposition. These surfactants may comprise up to about 50 wt. % of thecomposition, based on the total weight of the composition, for example,from about 1 wt. % to about 45 wt. % of the composition, or at leastabout 5 wt. %, or at least about 10 wt. %, or at least about 15 wt. %,or at least about 20 wt. %, or at least about 25 wt. % of thecomposition.

In certain embodiments, the cleaning composition comprises from about 2to about 20 wt. % anionic surfactant and from 0 to 10 wt. % non-ionicsurfactant, based on the total weight of the cleaning composition, forexample, from about 5 to about 15 wt. % anionic surfactant and fromabout 0.1 to about 5 wt. % non-ionic surfactant.

In certain embodiments, the cleaning composition comprises one or morethickening agents or suspending agents (e.g., rheology modifier). Suchagents may enhance the stability of the inorganic particulate materialdispersed throughout the gel. Suitable thickening agents include watersoluble/dispersable polymers, which may be cationic, anionic, amphotericor non-ionic with molecular weights typically greater than about 100,000Daltons. Such agents may also serve to increase the viscosity of thecleaning composition. Exemplary thickening or suspending agents includecarbohydrate gums such as cellulose gum, microcrystalline cellulose,cellulose gel, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, sodiumcarboxymethylcellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, guar gum, gumkaraya, gum tragacanth, gum arabic, gum acacia, gum agar, xanthan gumand mixtures thereof; modified and nonmodified starch granules andpregelatinized cold water soluble starch; emulsion polymers; cationicpolymer such as modified polysaccharides; cationic modified cellulose;synthetic cationic polymer; cationic starches; cationic galactomannans;and high molecular weight polyethylene glycols, esters of ethyleneglycol or esters of polyethylene glycol. Other suitablethickening/suspending agents include for example polyacrylic acid,copolymers and cross-linked polymers of acrylic acid, copolymers ofacrylic acid with a hydrophobic monomer, copolymers of carboxylicacid-containing monomers and acrylic esters, cross-linked copolymers ofacrylic acid and acrylate esters.

A thickening agent or suspending agent, such as a rheologoy modifier,when present, may be present in a total amount of from about 0.1 wt. %to about 50 wt. % by weight, based on the total weight of the cleaningcomposition, for example, from about 0.1 wt. % to about 35 wt. %, orfrom about 0.1 wt. % to about 20 wt. %, or from about 0.1 wt. % to about10 wt. %, or from about 0.1 wt. % to about 5 wt. %. The skilled personwill be able to select suitable amounts of each component forincorporation in the base, based on the amount of the component in thefinal composition.

The cleaning composition may contain other components including, withoutlimitation, conditioning/moisturising agents, perfumes, fragrances,opacifiers, pearlescing agents, colourings, preservatives, chelatingagents, humectants, herb and/or plant extracts, essential oils,proteins, pH adjusting agents, and anti-microbials. The total amount ofother components may be present in amount of from about 0.1 to about 30wt. %, based on the total weight of the cleaning composition, forexample, from about 0.1 wt. % to about 20 wt. %, or from about 0.1 wt. %to about 15 wt. %, or from about 0.5 wt. % to about 10 wt. %, or fromabout 1 wt. % to about 10 wt. %, or from about 1 wt. % about 5 wt. %.The skilled person will be able to select suitable amounts of eachcomponent for incorporation in the base, based on the amount of thecomponent in the final composition.

Method of Making Cleaning Composition

Cleaning compositions in accordance with certain embodiments of thepresent invention may be made by conventional methods of preparingcleaning compositions, e.g., hard surface cleansing compositions.

Generally, for gel based compositions, the inorganic particulatematerials are incorporated in the gel by combining the gel and inorganicparticulate material in suitable amounts. The step of combining mayinclude mixing, for example, shear mixing. Before, during or afterincorporation of the inorganic particulate material, any additionalcomponents may be added to the gel base. If the gel is an emulsion ofsurfactant and water, the emulsion will normally be prepared first,followed by combining with the inorganic particulate material and anyother additional components.

The gel based cleaning composition may be used in a similar way toconventional cleaning compositions, i.e., a suitable amount of thecomposition is applied to wetted or washed surface and the compositionmassage.

For the avoidance of doubt, the present application is directed to thesubject-matter described in the following numbered paragraphs:

1. A cleaning composition comprising:

a base; and

an inorganic particulate material selected from the group consisting ofspherical perlite, alumina, vermiculite, nepheline and mixtures thereof.

2. The cleaning composition according to numbered paragraph 1, whereinthe base comprises a detergent.

3. The cleaning composition according to numbered paragraph 1 or 2,wherein the spherical perlite is expanded perlite, optionally whereinthe expanded perlite has not been milled.

4. The cleaning composition according to any preceding numberedparagraph, wherein the spherical perlite comprises microspheres, forexample, wherein at least 80 wt. % of the spherical perlite ismicrospheres.

5. The cleaning composition according to numbered paragraph 4, whereinthe microspheres are substantially closed and hollow.

6. The cleaning composition according to any preceding numberedparagraph, wherein the inorganic particulate has a d90 of no greaterthan about 500 μm, for example, no greater than about 400 μm.

7. The cleaning composition according to numbered paragraph 6, whereinthe inorganic particulate material has a d10 of at least about 10 μm anda d90 of no greater than about 500 μm, for example, a d10 of at leastabout 10 μm and a d90 of no greater than about 400 μm.

8. The cleaning composition according to any preceding numberedparagraph, wherein the inorganic particulate material has a density offrom about 0.10 to about 4.0 g/cc.

9. The cleaning composition according to any preceding numberedparagraph, wherein the inorganic particulate material has a density offrom about 0.10 to about 2.0 g/cc, for example, from about 0.10 to about1.0 g/cc.

10. The cleaning composition according to numbered paragraph 8, whereinthe inorganic particulate material has a density of from about 1.50 toabout 2.50 g/cc.

11. The cleaning composition according to numbered paragraph 9, whereinthe inorganic particulate material has a density of from about 0.20 toabout 0.70 g/cc.

12. The cleaning composition according to numbered paragraph 1, whereinthe inorganic particulate comprises, or consists essentially of, orconsists of, microspheres of expanded spherical perlite and having a d10of at least about 10 μm and a d90 of no greater than about 450 μm, andoptionally a density of from about 0.20 to about 0.70 g/cc or from about1.50 to about 2.50 g/cc.

13. The cleaning composition according to numbered paragraph 12, whereinthe inorganic particulate material has a d50 of from about 180 μm toabout 280 μm.

14. The cleaning composition according to numbered paragraph 1, whereinthe inorganic particulate material has a d50 of from about 30 μm toabout 80 μm.

15. The cleaning composition according to numbered paragraph 1, whereinthe inorganic particulate comprises, or consists essentially of, orconsists of, microspheres of alumina and having a d10 of at least about50 μm and a d90 of no greater than about 450 μm, and optionally adensity of from about 3.0 to about 3.8 g/cc.

16. The cleaning composition according to numbered paragraph 1, whereinthe inorganic particulate material comprises, or consists essentiallyof, or consists of, microspheres of alumina and having a d50 of at leastabout 150 μm and/or a d90 of no greater than about 200 μm.

17. The cleaning composition according to any preceding numberedparagraph, wherein the inorganic particulate is present in an amount offrom about 0.01 wt. % to about 20 wt. %, based on the total weight ofthe cleaning composition, optionally wherein the cleaning compositioncomprises from about 1 wt. % to about 60 wt. % surfactant, water andoptional additional components other than surfactant.

18. The cleaning composition according to numbered paragraph 17, whereinthe inorganic particulate is present in an amount of from about 0.5 wt.% to about 5 wt. %.

19. The cleaning composition according to any preceding numberedparagraph, further comprising one or more of: surfactant(s), thickeningagent(s), suspending agent(s), conditioning/moisturising agent(s),perfume(s), fragrance(s), opacifier(s), pearlescing agent(s),colouring(s), preservative(s), chelating agent(s), humectants(s), herband/or plant extract(s), essential oil(s), protein(s), pH adjustingagent(s), and anti-microbial(s).

20. The cleaning composition according to any preceding numberedparagraph, wherein the base is a gel.

21. The cleaning composition according to numbered paragraph 1, whereinthe cleansing composition is a hard surface cleansing composition ortableware cleansing composition.

22. A packaged product suitable for commerce comprising the cleaningcomposition according to any one of numbered paragraphs 1-21.

23. Use of an inorganic particulate material as defined in any one ofnumbered paragraphs 1-18 in a cleaning composition comprising a base,for example, a hard surface cleaning composition, optionally wherein thebase is a gel.

24. Use according to numbered paragraph 23, wherein the inorganicparticulate material provides a scrubbing action.

25. A method for making a cleaning composition according to anyone ofnumbered paragraphs 1-21, said method comprising combining a base, e.g.,a gel, and inorganic particulate material as defined in any one ofclaims 1-18 in suitable amounts.

Third General Aspect

In certain embodiments, the composition is a personal care composition,e.g., a personal care product. In other embodiments in which thecomposition is a personal care composition, the base will be acosmetically acceptable base. Personal care compositions include, butare not limited to, hair and/or skin cleansing compositions such asshampoo (optionally including conditioner), soap including liquid soapssuch as hand-, face- and bodywash, shower gel, bath gel and shaving foamor gel.

In certain embodiments, the composition is a hair shampoo. The hairshampoo may comprise a conditioning/moisturising component.

In certain embodiments, the composition is a shaving gel. In certainembodiments, the composition is a shaving foam. A shaving foam, unlike ashaving gel, comprises a propellant (e.g., butane or propane) whichexpands and instantly evaporates when the foam is dispensed from itscontainer (e.g., can), filling the foam with bubbles. A shaving gel maybe regarded as a post-foaming gel in that the foam is not generatedimmediately on dispensing the gel, but during application as the gel ismassaged into the skin by the user. For instance, the post-foaming gelcomposition may include one or more or the following: a soap, a volatileliquid post-foaming agent, a silicone copolymer surfactant, water, and asecondary non-ionic surfactant.

In certain embodiments, the composition is a dishwashing preparation,for example, a liquid or gel, such as a washing-up liquid. Thedishwashing preparation may or may not comprise a cosmeticallyacceptable base. In certain embodiments, the base is a cosmeticallyacceptable base. In certain embodiments, the base will comprise waterand detergent, and optionally a fragrance component, and optionally acolourant. In certain embodiments, the dishwashing preparation, e.g.,washing-up liquid, is suitable for hand-washing crockery (e.g., plates,dishes and other eating and serving tableware, typically made of someceramic material, some metallic material, or some plastic material),cutlery, glassware, drinking vessels other than glassware, cookware(e.g., pots, pans, baking trays, etc.) and cooking utensils, and thelike.

The composition may further comprise one or more of: thickeningagent(s), suspending agent(s), skin conditioning/moisturising agent(s),hair conditioning agent(s), perfume(s), fragrance(s), opacifier(s),pearlescing agent(s), colouring(s), preservative(s), chelating agent(s);humectant(s) herb and/or plant extract(s), essential oil(s), protein(s),pH adjusting agent(s), and anti-microbial(s). These components maycomprise up to about 20 wt. % of the composition, based on the totalweight of the composition, for example, from about 0.1 wt. % to about 15wt. %, or from about 1 wt. % to about 10 wt. %, or from about 0.5 wt. %to about 5 wt. % of the composition. The composition may furthercomprise surfactant(s) other than those of the foaming agent. Suchsurfactants are understood by those skilled in the art not to have anydiscernible foaming properties. These surfactants serve primarily as acleansing agent, i.e., constituting or forming part of the detergentcomponent of the composition. These surfactants may comprise up to about30 wt. % of the composition, based on the total weight of thecomposition, for example, from about 1 wt. % to about 30 wt. % of thecomposition, or at least about 5 wt. %, or at least about 10 wt. %, orat least about 15 wt. %, or at least about 20 wt. %, or at least about25 wt. % of the composition. As described herein, the one or morecomponents listed above may be comprised within the base of thecomposition.

The composition (e.g., personal care composition or dishwashingpreparation) may be provided in a packaged product suitable for commerce(e.g., tub, tube, bottle, packet, sachet, canister, dispenser, and thelike).

In use, the composition may be diluted with an external source of water(e.g., from a tap or showerhead, or from a basin or bath of water)during topical application to the mammalian body (e.g., human body) orarticle (i.e., crockery, cutlery and the like). Thus, there is provideda diluted composition which is prepared by diluting the composition withfrom about 1 wt. % to about 99 wt. % of water, for example, from about 5wt. % to about 90 wt. %, or from about 5 wt. % to about 70 wt. %, orfrom about 5 wt. % to about 50 wt. % of water.

The Inorganic Particulate Material

Surprisingly, it has been found that inorganic particulate materials inaccordance with the first aspect of the invention enhances the formationof foam in a composition comprising a base and foaming agent byincreasing foam volume and/or by reducing the average bubble size of thefoam, upon and/or during topical application of the composition. Inother words, the inorganic particulate material enhances the foamforming capability of the foaming agent. Further, the inclusion ofinorganic particulate materials may enable a reduction in the amount offoaming agent, such as sodium laureth sulfate (also known as sodiumlaureth ether sulfate (SLES), which can be a skin or eye irritant,without loss of, or even increase, foam volume.

The inorganic particulate material has a d₅₀ of from about 0.1 μm toabout 200 μm. In certain embodiments, when the inorganic particulatecomprises or is perlite, the perlite has a d₅₀ of greater than about 10μm, for example, equal to or greater than about 25 μm. In certainembodiments, the inorganic particulate material has a d₅₀ of from about0.5 μm to about 150 μm, for example, from about 1 μm to about 125 μm, orfrom about 2 μm to about 125 μm, or from about 3 μm to about 125 μm, orfrom about 5 μm to about 125 μm, or from about 10 μm to about 125 μm, orfrom about 10 μm to about 100 μm, or from about 10 μm to about 90 μm, orfrom about 10 μm to about 80 μm, or from about 10 μm to about 70 μm, orfrom about 15 μm to about 70 μm, or from about 20 μm to about 60 μm, orfrom about 20 μm to about 50 μm, or from about 20 μm to about 45 μm, orfrom about 20 μm to about 40 μm. In certain embodiments, the inorganicparticulate material has a d₅₀ of from about 0.1 μm to about 30 μm, forexample, from about 0.5 μm to about 30 μm, or from about 1 μm to about30 μm, or from about 2 μm to about 30 μm, or from about 1 μm to about 25μm, or from about 1 μm to about 20 μm, or from about 1 μm or 2 μm toabout 15 μm, or from about 1 μm or 2 μm to about 10 μm, or from about 5μm to about 15 μm.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material and, thus,the composition, is free of crystalline silica.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material has a d₉₀ ofno greater than about 500 μm, for example, no greater than about 475 μm,or no greater than about 450 μm, or no greater than about 425 μm, or nogreater than about 400 μm, or no greater than about 375 μm, or nogreater than about 350 μm, or no greater than about 325 μm, or nogreater than about 300 μm, or no greater than about 275 μm, or nogreater than about 250 μm, or no greater than about 225 μm, or nogreater than about 200 μm, or no greater than about 175 μm, or nogreater than about 150 μm, or no greater than about 125 μm, or nogreater than about 100 μm. In certain embodiments, the inorganicparticulate material has a d₉₀ of no greater than about 90 μm, forexample, no greater than about 80 μm, or no greater than about 70 μm, orno greater than about 60 μm, or no greater than about 50 μm. In certainembodiments, the inorganic particulate material has a d₉₀ of from about10 μm to about 100 μm, for example, or from about 15 μm to about 100 μm,or from about 20 μm to about 100 μm, or from about 25 μm to about 100μm, or from about 30 μm to about 100 μm or from about 35 μm to about 100μm.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material has a d₅₀ offrom about 0.1 μm to about 70 μm and a d₉₀ of from about 10 μm to about100 μm, for example, a d₅₀ from about 2 μm to about 70 μm and a d₉₀ offrom about 10 μm to about 100 μm.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material is selectedfrom the group consisting of perlite, an alkaline earth metal carbonateor sulphate, such as calcium carbonate, for example, natural calciumcarbonate and/or precipitated calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate,dolomite, gypsum, aluminosilicate (e.g. a hydrous kandite clay such askaolin, halloysite or ball clay, an anhydrous (calcined) kandite claysuch as metakaolin or fully calcined kaolin), talc, mica, diatomaceousearth, vermiculite, pumice, magnesium hydroxide, aluminium trihydrate,and combinations thereof.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material comprises oris perlite. The perlite may be substantially spherical perlite. By“substantially spherical” it is meant that individual particles of theinorganic particulate material have a generally (but not necessarilygeometrically regular) spherical, spheroidal and/or ovoidal morphology,i.e., generally non-angular, as viewed using an optical microscope(e.g., a Keyence VHX-1000). For example, a substantially sphericalparticle may have a roundness of 1.15 or less, or 1.10 or less, or 1.05or less. A suitable test method for measuring roundness is carried outby taking images of the particulates using an optical microscope, (e.g.,a Keyence VHX-1000) on a contrasting background. The image is thentransferred and opened using Leica image analysis software by Leica,Solms, Germany. The particles in the image are then drawn round and theroundness is calculated by the software.

In certain embodiments, the perlite is expanded perlite. Typically,expanded perlite includes one or more cells, or parts of cells, in whicha cell is a void space partially or entirely surrounded by walls ofglass, usually formed from expansion of gases when the glass is in thesoftened state. Processes for expanding perlite are well known in theart, and include heating perlite in air to a temperature of least about700° C., typically between 800° C. and 1100° C., in an expansionfurnace. Exemplary processes for producing expanded perlite aredescribed in US-A-20060075930, the entire contents of which is herebyincorporated by reference. Expanded perlite typically has a bulk volumeup to 20 times that of the unexpanded material. In certain embodiments,the substantially spherical perlite is expanded perlite. In certainembodiments, the perlite is expanded milled perlite.

In certain embodiments, the perlite is in the form of microspheres,which may be substantially closed and hollow. For present purposes,microspheres are defined as spherical particles in the micron sizerange. They can be hollow or solid. In certain embodiments, the cellsare substantially hollow, i.e., substantially closed cell structures(e.g., sealed cavities normally filled with air). In certainembodiments, at least 50 wt. % of the perlite is in the form ofmicrospheres, for example, at least about 60 wt. %, or at least about 70wt. %, or at least about 80 wt. %, or at least about 90 wt. %, or atleast about 95 wt. %, or at least about 99 wt. %, or substantially 100wt. % of the perlite is in the form of microspheres. Perlite in the formof microspheres can be formed in accordance with the methods describedin WO-A-2013053635, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporatedby reference. Generally, in this process, perlite ore and propellant isfed into an upright furnace and falls along a drop section throughmultiple heating zones in a furnace shaft of the furnace. The perliteore is heated to a critical temperature at which the surfaces of theperlite plasticize and perlite grains are expanded on the basis of thepropellant.

In certain embodiments, the perlite, be it spherical, expanded, expandedspherical or expanded microspherical, is not milled, i.e., the perliteis not an expanded milled perlite.

In certain embodiments, the perlite, be it spherical, expanded sphericalor expanded microspherical, is milled, i.e., the perlite is an expandedmilled perlite. In certain embodiments, the perlite is not expandedmicrospherical perlite.

In certain embodiments, the perlite has a d₅₀ of greater than about 10μm to up to about 100 μm, or greater than about 10 μm to up to about 90μm, or greater than about 10 μm to up to about 80 μm, or greater thanabout 10 μm to up to about 70 μm, or from about 15 μm to about 70 μm, orfrom about 20 μm to about 60 μm, or from about 20 μm to about 50 μm, orfrom about 20 μm to about 45 μm, or from about 20 μm to about 40 μm.

In certain embodiments, the perlite has a d₅₀ of from about 3 μm toabout 70 μm, for example, from about 3 μm to about 65 μm, or from about3 μm to about 60 μm, or from about 3 μm to about 55 μm, or from about 3μm to about 50 μm, or from about 3 μm to about 45 μm, or from about 3 μmto about 40 μm, or from about 3 μm to about 35 μm or from about 3 μm toabout 30 μm, or from about 5 μm to about 30 μm.

In certain embodiments, the perlite has a d₅₀ of from about 3 μm toabout 30 μm.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material is selectedfrom one or more of perlite, diatomaceous earth, kaolin and talc, forexample, selected from one or more of perlite, diatomaceous earth andtalc.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate comprises or isdiatomaceous earth. In certain embodiments, the diatomaceous earth has ad₅₀ of from about 1 μm to about 30 μm, for example, from about 1 μm toabout 25 μm, or from about 1 μm to about 20 μm, or from about 1 μm or 2μm to about 15 μm, or from about 1 μm or 2 μm to about 10 μm, 1 μm or 2μm to about 5 μm, or from about 5 μm to about 25 μm, or from about 10 μmto about 25 μm, or from about 15 μm to about 20 μm, or from about 15 μmto about 20 μm, or from about 10 μm to about 20 μm, or from about 10 μmto about 15 μm.

In certain embodiments, the diatomaceous earth has a d₅₀ of from about 2μm to about 16 μm.

In certain embodiments in which the inorganic particulate materialcomprises or is diatomaceous earth, the composition comprisescolouring(s). The colouring(s) may be incorporated in the base (e.g.,cosmetically acceptable base) of the composition.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate comprises or is talc.In certain embodiments, the talc has a d₅₀ of from about 5 μm to about25 μm, or from about 5 μm to about 20 μm, or from about 10 μm to about20 μm, or from about 10 μm to about 15 μm.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material comprises oris vermiculite. In certain embodiments, the vermiculite has a d₅₀ offrom about 10 μm to about 100 μm, or from about 10 μm to about 90 μm, orgreater than about 10 μm to about 80 μm, or greater than about 10 μm toabout 70 μm, or from about 20 μm to about 70 μm, or from about 20 μm toabout 60 μm, or from about 30 μm to about 60 μm, or from about 35 μm toabout 55 μm, or from about 40 μm to about 50 μm.

In certain embodiments, the inorganic particulate material comprises oris kaolin. In certain embodiments, the kaolin has a d₅₀ of from about0.1 to about 10 μm, for example, from about 0.1 μm to about 5 μm, orfrom about 0.1 μm to about 2 μm, or from about 0.1 μm to about 1 μm, orfrom about 0.2 to about 0.8 μm, or from about 0.3 to about 0.6 μm.

Unless otherwise specified, the particle size properties referred toherein for the inorganic particulate materials are as measured by thewell known conventional method employed in the art of laser lightscattering, using a CILAS 1064L particle size analyser, as supplied byCILAS (or by other methods which give essentially the same result). Inthe laser light scattering technique, the size of particles in powders,suspensions and emulsions may be measured using the diffraction of alaser beam, based on an application of Fraunhofer and Mie theory. Such amachine provides measurements and a plot of the cumulative percentage byvolume of particles having a size, referred to in the art as the‘equivalent spherical diameter’ (e.s.d), less than given e.s.d values.The mean particle size d₅₀ is the value determined in this way of theparticle e.s.d at which there are 50% by volume of the particles whichhave an equivalent spherical diameter less than that d₅₀ value. The d₁₀value is the value at which 10% by volume of the particles have an e.s.dless than that d₁₀ value. The d₉₀ value is the value at which 90% byweight of the particles have an e.s.d less than that d₉₀ value.

Any particular particle size distribution may be obtained usingconventional methods known in the art, e.g., by screening. For example,screening may be carried out using an Alpine A-200 jet sieve, suppliedby Hosakawa Alpine, Germany, with screens provided by Haver & Bocker.The screen apertures may be selected depending on the particle sizedistribution required. The inorganic particulate may be ground or milledprior to screening.

The Foaming Agent

The term “foaming agent” used herein refers to a material thatfacilitates the formation of foam upon and during topical application ofthe composition. As described herein, the inorganic particulate materialtherefore enhances the formation of foam by increasing foam volumeand/or by reducing the average bubble size of the foam. In certainembodiments, topical application will be in the presence of an externalsource of water, e.g., from a tap or showerhead. In certain embodiments,the foaming agent comprises or is a surfactant or mixture ofsurfactants. Said surfactant or mixture of surfactants will haveindustry recognised foaming properties, i.e., they are known tofacilitate the formation of foam. Such surfactants are known by thoseskilled in the art. It will also be understood that said surfactantswill have cleansing properties, i.e., detergency properties, althoughtheir primary use may be as a foaming agent.

In certain embodiments, the foaming agent comprises or is one or moreanionic surfactants, or one or more amphoteric surfactants, or one ormore non-ionic surfactants, or any combination thereof.

Suitable anionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, ammoniumlauryl sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, triethylamine lauryl sulfate,triethylamine laureth sulfate, triethanolamine lauryl sulfate,triethanolamine laureth sulfate, monoethanolamine lauryl sulfate,monoethanolamine laureth sulfate, diethanolamine lauryl sulfate,diethanolamine laureth sulfate, lauric monoglyceride sodium sulfate,sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, potassium laurethsulfate, sodium lauryl sarcosinate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate,potassium lauryl sulfate, sodium trideceth sulfate, sodium methyllauroyl taurate, sodium lauroyl isethionate, sodium laurethsulfosuccinate, sodium lauroyl sulfosuccinate, sodium tridecyl benzenesulfonate, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, sodium lauryl amphoacetate,sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium methylcocoyl taurate and mixtures thereof. The anionic surfactant may be, forexample, an aliphatic sulfonate, such as a primary C₈-C₂₂ alkanesulfonate, primary C₈-C₂₂ alkane disulfonate, C₈-C₂₂ alkene sulfonate,C₈-C₂₂ hydroxyalkane sulfonate or alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonate.

Suitable amphoteric surfactants include, but are not limited to,derivatives of aliphatic quaternary ammonium, phosphonium, and sulfoniumcompounds, in which the aliphatic radicals can be straight or branchedchain, and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about8 to about 18 carbon atoms and one substituent contains an anionicgroup, e.g., carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, or phosphonate.Illustrative amphoterics are coco dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine,cocoamidopropyl betaine, cocobetaine, oleyl betaine, cetyl dimethylcarboxymethyl betaine, lauryl bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) carboxymethylbetaine, stearyl bis-(2-hydroxypropyl) carboxymethyl betaine, oleyldimethyl gamma-carboxypropyl betaine, laurylbis-(2-hydroxypropyl)alpha-carboxyethyl betaine, and mixtures thereof.The sulfobetaines may include stearyl dimethyl sulfopropyl betaine,lauryl dimethyl sulfoethyl betaine, lauryl bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)sulfopropyl betaine and mixtures thereof.

Suitable non-ionic surfactants include alcohols, acids, amides or alkylphenols reacted with alkylene oxides, especially ethylene oxide eitheralone or with propylene oxide. Exemplary non-ionics are C₆-C₂₂ alkylphenols-ethylene oxide condensates, the condensation products of C₈-C₁₈aliphatic primary or secondary linear or branched alcohols with ethyleneoxide, and products made by condensation of ethylene oxide with thereaction products of propylene oxide and ethylenediamine. Othernon-ionics include long chain tertiary amine oxides. Other non-ionicsare surfactants based on cocoamide and produced by reacting cocoamidewith an alcohol amine, such as ethanolamine. Exemplary non-ionicsinclude cocoamide MEA and cocoamide DEA. Other suitable non-ionicsinclude alkyl polyglucosides such as decyl glucoside, lauryl glucosideand octyl glucoside.

In certain embodiments, the foaming agent comprises one or more of alauryl sulfate, a laureth sulfate, an alkyl polyglucoside, a betaine, analkyl glucoside, cocoamide MEA and cocoamide DEA. In such embodiments,the foaming agent may include an amount of sodium laureth sulfate

In certain embodiments, the foaming agent comprises one or more ofsodium laureth sulfate, sodium C₁₄₋₁₆ olefin sulfonate, sodium sodiumlauryl sulfoacetate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium methyl cocoyltaurate, cocoamidopropyl betaine, cocoamide MEA, and mixtures thereof.In such embodiments, the foaming agent may comprise sodium laurethsulfate.

In certain embodiments, the foaming agent comprises one or more anionicsurfactants and one or more amphoteric surfcants, and optionally furthercomprises the non-inonic surfactant cocoamide MEA. In such embodiments,the one or more anionic surfactants may include sodium laureth sulfate.

In certain embodiments, the foaming agent comprises a mixture of atleast two anionic surfactants and a betaine, such as cocamidopropylbetaine, and optionally further comprises cocoamide MEA.

The Base

In certain embodiments, the base is in the form a liquid, gel, emulsion,lotion or paste. In certain embodiments, the base is a liquid, lotion orgel. In certain embodiments, the base is a liquid. In certainembodiments, the base is a lotion. In certain embodiment, the base is agel.

In certain embodiments, base comprises water, i.e., the base is aqueous.In certain embodiments, the base comprises at least about 30 wt. %water, based on the total weight of the base, for example, at leastabout 35 wt. % water, or at least about 40 wt. % water, or at leastabout 45 wt. % water, or at least about 50 wt. %, or at least about 55wt. % water, or at least about 60 wt. % water, or at least about 65 wt.% water, or at least about 70 wt. % water, or at least about 75 wt. %water, or at least about 8 wt. % water, or at least about 85 wt. %water, or at least about 90 wt. % water. In certain embodiments, thebase comprises from about 30 wt. % to about 90 wt. % water, based on thetotal weight of the base, for example, from about 35 wt. % to about 80wt. % water, or from about 40 wt. % to about 75 wt. % water, or fromabout 45 wt. % to about 75 wt. % water, or from about 50 wt. % to about75 wt. % water.

As described above, the base may comprise one or more of: thickeningagent(s), suspending agent(s), skin conditioning/moisturising agent(s),hair conditioning agent(s) perfume(s), fragrance(s), opacifier(s),pearlescing agent(s), colouring(s), preservative(s), chelating agent(s);humectant(s), herb and/or plant extract(s), essential oil(s),protein(s), pH adjusting agent(s), and anti-microbial(s). Thesecomponents may comprise up to about 20 wt. % of the composition, basedon the total weight of the composition, for example, from about 0.1 wt.% to about 15 wt. %, or from about 1 wt. % to about 10 wt. %, or fromabout 0.5 wt. % to about 5 wt. % of the composition. The composition mayfurther comprise surfactant(s) other than those of the foaming agent.Such surfactants are understood by those skilled in the art not to haveany discernible foaming properties. These surfactants serve primarily asa cleansing agent, i.e., constituting or forming part of the detergentcomponent of the composition. These surfactants may comprise up to about30 wt. % of the composition, based on the total weight of thecomposition, for example, from about 1 wt. % to about 30 wt. % of thecomposition, or at least about 5 wt. %, or at least about 10 wt. %, orat least about 15 wt. %, or at least about 20 wt. %, or at least about25 wt. % of the composition. The skilled person will be able to selectsuitable amounts of each component for incorporation in the base, basedon the amount of the component in the final composition.

Suitable surfactants include cationic surfactants such as octenidinedihydrochloride, permanently charged quaternary ammonium surfactantssuch as alkyltrimethylammonium salts (e.g., cetyl trimethylammoniumbromide, cetyl trimethylammonium chloride), cetylpyridinium chloride,benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride,5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane, dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride,cetrimonium bromide and dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide.

Suitable surfactants include any non-foaming anionic, amphoteric ornon-inonic surfactants. Exemplary non-ionic surfcants includepolyoxyethylene glycol sorbitan alkyl esters such as polysorbate, e.g.,polysorbate 80.

The base may comprise one or more thickening agents or suspending agents(e.g., rheology modifier). Such agents may enhance the stability of theinorganic particulate material dispersed throughout the composition.Suitable thickening agents include water soluble/dispersable polymers,which may be cationic, anionic, amphoteric or non-ionic with molecularweights typically greater than about 100,000 Daltons. Such agents mayalso serve to increase the viscosity of the skin cleansing composition.Exemplary thickening or suspending agents include carbohydrate gums suchas cellulose gum, microcrystalline cellulose, cellulose gel,hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, sodiumcarboxymethylcellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, guar gum, gumkaraya, gum tragacanth, gum arabic, gum acacia, gum agar, xanthan gumand mixtures thereof; modified and nonmodified starch granules andpregelatinized cold water soluble starch; emulsion polymers; cationicpolymer such as modified polysaccharides; cationic modified cellulose;synthetic cationic polymer; cationic starches; cationic galactomannans;and high molecular weight polyethylene glycols, esters of ethyleneglycol or esters of polyethylene glycol. Other suitablethickening/suspending agents include for example polyacrylic acid,copolymers and cross-linked polymers of acrylic acid, copolymers ofacrylic acid with a hydrophobic monomer, copolymers of carboxylicacid-containing monomers and acrylic esters, cross-linked copolymers ofacrylic acid and acrylate esters.

A thickening agent or suspending agent, such as a rheologoy modifier,when present, may be present in a total amount of from about 0.1 wt. %to about 50 wt. % by weight, based on the total weight of thecomposition, for example, from about 0.1 wt. % to about 35 wt. %, orfrom about 0.1 wt. % to about 20 wt. %, or from about 0.1 wt. % to about10 wt. %, or from about 0.1 wt. % to about 5 wt. %. The skilled personwill be able to select suitable amounts of each component forincorporation in the base, based on the amount of the component in thefinal composition.

A suitable amount of pH adjusting agent may be added, if necessary, toadjust the pH of the composition, particularly if the composition is apersonal care composition. For example, a desirable pH range for showeror bath gels is typically from about 5.75 to 7. A desirable pH forshampoos is slightly wider from about 5 to 7. Most shampoos typicallyhave a lower pH (around 5.5 to 6) than shower gels to match the hairs'natural acidity of around 4.5 to 5.5. Suitable pH adjusting agents insodium hydroxide, sodium chloride and citric acid.

Suitable Amounts of Base, Foaming Agent and Inorganic ParticulateMaterial

In certain embodiments, the total amount of inorganic particulatematerial present in the composition (e.g., personal care composition) isan amount of from about 0.1 wt. % to about 20 wt. %, based on the totalweight of the composition, for example, from about 0.1 wt. % to about 15wt. %, or from about 1.0 wt. % to about 15 wt. %, or from about 1.5 wt.% to about 12 wt. %, or from about 2.0 wt. % to about 10 wt. %, or fromabout 2.5 wt. % to about 10 wt. %, or from about 3.0 wt. % to about 9.0wt. %, or from about 3.0 wt. % to about 8.5 wt. %, or from about 3.0 wt.% to about 8.0 wt. %, or from about 3.0 wt. % to about 7.5 wt. %, orfrom about 3.0 wt. % to about 7.0 wt. %, or from about 3.5 wt. % toabout 7.0 wt. %, or from about 3.0 wt. % to about 6.5 wt. %, or fromabout 3.5 wt. % to about 6.0 wt. %, or from about 3.0 wt. % to about 6.0wt. %, or from about 4.0 wt. % to about 7.5 wt. %, or from about 4.0 wt.% about 7.0 wt. %, or from about 4.0 wt. % to about 6.0 wt. %, or fromabout 4.0 wt. % to about 6.0 wt. %, or from about 4.5 wt. % to about 5.5wt. %, or from about 4.5 wt. % to about 5.0 wt. %.

In certain embodiment, the total amount of inorganic particulatematerial present in the composition (e.g., personal care composition) isan amount of from about 3.5 wt. % to about 6.5 wt. %. In suchembodiments, the inorganic particulate may comprise, consist essentiallyof, or consist of perlite, for example, an expanded milled perlite. Theperlite may have a d₅₀ of from greater than about 10 μm to about 70 μm,for example, from about 15 μm to about 40 μm, or from about 20 μm toabout 30 μm, or a d₅₀ of equal to or greater than about 25 μm. Theperlite may have a d₅₀ of from about 3 μm to about 70 μm, for example, ad₅₀ of from about 3 μm to about 65 μm, or from about 3 μm to about 60μm, or from about 3 μm to about 55 μm, or from about 3 μm to about 50 μmor from about 3 μm to about 45 μm or from about 3 μm to about 40 μm orfrom about 3 μm to about 35 μm or from about 3 μm to about 30 μm, orfrom about 5 μm to about 30 μm.

In certain embodiments, the composition comprises at least about 50 wt.% base (e.g., cosmetically acceptable base), from about 1 wt. % to about30 wt. % foaming agent, and from about 0.1 wt. % to about 20 wt. %inorganic particulate material, based on the total weight of thecomposition. In certain embodiments, the composition comprises at leastabout 55 wt. % base, for example, at least about 60 wt. %, or at leastabout 65 wt. %, or at least about 70 wt. %, or at least about 75 wt. %,or at least about 80 wt. % base. In certain embodiments, the compositioncomprises from about 50 wt. % to about 80 wt. % base, for example, fromabout 50 wt. % to about 75 wt. % base, or from about 50 wt. % to about70 wt. % base, or from about 50 wt. % to about 65 wt. % base.

In certain embodiments, the composition comprises from about 2 wt. % toabout 30 wt. % foaming agent, for example, from about 5 wt. % to about25 wt. % foaming agent, for example, from about 10 wt. % to about 22.5wt. % foaming agent, or from about 10 wt. to about 17.5 wt. % foamingagent, or from about 10 wt. % to about 15 wt. % foaming agent. In suchembodiments, the foaming may comprise, consist essentially of, orconsist of sodium laureth sulfate.

As described above, the incorporation of the inorganic particulatematerial as described herein enhances the formation of foam in acomposition comprising a base and foaming agent by increasing foamvolume and/or by reducing the average bubble size of the foam when thecomposition is diluted with water and shaken for a period to mimic thetopical application of the composition in a wet environment, e.g.,during showering or bathing. Thus, an inorganic particulate materialhaving a d₅₀ of from about 0.1 μm to about 200 μm, may be used in acomposition comprising a base and foaming agent (e.g., a personal careproduct such as a hair shampoo), for increasing the foam volume of thecomposition upon or during topical application of the composition. Incertain embodiments, the inorganic particulate comprises or is perlite,and the perlite has a d₅₀ of greater than about 10 μm, for example,equal to or greater than about 25 μm. In certain embodiments, theinorganic particulate comprises or is perlite, and the perlite has a d₅₀of from about 3 μm to about 70 μm, for example, from about 3 μm to about30 μm. Likewise, an inorganic particulate material having a d₅₀ of fromabout 0.1 μm to about 200 μm, may be used in a composition comprising abase and foaming agent (e.g., a personal care product such as a hairshampoo), for reducing the average bubble size of the foam generatedupon or during topical application of the composition. In certainembodiments, the inorganic particulate comprises or is perlite, and theperlite has a d₅₀ of greater than about 10 μm, for example, equal to orgreater than about 25 μm. In certain embodiments, the inorganicparticulate comprises or is perlite, and the perlite has a d₅₀ of fromabout 3 μm to about 70 μm, for example, from about 3 μm to about 30 μm.

Foam volume and average bubble size may be determined in accordance withthe test methods described above and in the Examples below.

In certain embodiments, the foam volume of the composition comprisingthe inorganic particulate material is greater than the foam volume (incm³) of a comparable composition absent the inorganic particulatematerial, for example, the foam volume of the composition comprising theinorganic particulate material may be at least about 0.5% greater, or atleast about 1.0% greater, or at least about 1.5% greater, or at leastabout 2.0% greater, or at least about 2.5% greater, or at least about3.0% greater, or at least about 3.5% greater, or at least about 4.0%greater, or at least about 4.5% greater, or at least about 5.0% greater,or at least about 5.5% greater, or at least about 6.0% greater, or atleast about 6.5% greater, or at least about 7.0% greater, or at leastabout 7.5% greater, or at least about 8.0% greater, or at least about8.5% greater, or at least about 9.0% greater, or at least about 9.5%greater, or at least about 10.0% greater, or at least about 10.5%greater, or at least about 11.0% greater, or at least about 11.5%greater, or at least about 12.0% greater, or at least about 12.5%greater, or at least about 13.0% greater, or at least about 13.5%greater, or at least about 14.0% greater, or at least about 14.5%greater, or at least about 15.0% greater, or at least about 15.5%greater, or at least about 16.0% greater, or at least about 16.5%greater, or at least about 17.0% greater, or at least about 17.5%greater, or at least about 18.0% greater, or at least about 18.5%greater, or at least about 19.0% greater or at least about 19.5%greater, or at least about 20.0% greater than the foam volume (in cm³)of a comparable composition absent the inorganic particulate material.

Additionally or alternatively, in certain embodiments, the compositioncomprising the inorganic particulate material has an average bubble sizeof the foam generated upon or during topical application of thecomposition which is smaller than the average bubble size of the foamgenerated upon or during topical application of a comparable compositionabsent the inorganic particulate material, for example, the averagebubble size may be at least about 30% smaller, or at least about 40%smaller, or at least about 50% smaller, or at least about 60% smaller,or at least about 70% smaller, or at least about 75% smaller.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is postulated that theinorganic particulate material is providing nucleation sites for thebubbles, possibly related to the morphology of the particles in theparticulate and particle size. With respect to perlite comprising airfilled particles, the air in these particles may aid in bubble formationand stabilisation of the foam generated.

Further, smaller bubble size contributes to a creamier texture felt bythe user. A creamier texture is generally desirable for the user. Thus,in certain embodiments, the composition comprising the inorganicparticulate material has a creamier texture than a comparablecomposition absent the inorganic particulate material. In certainembodiments, therefore, the inorganic particulate material describedherein is used in a composition comprising a base and a foaming agent(e.g., a personal care product such as a hair shampoo) to enhance thecreaminess of the texture felt by the user.

Preparative Methods

Compositions in accordance with certain embodiments of the presentinvention may be made by conventional methods of preparing suchcompositions, e.g., hair shampoos, shower gels, etc. Generally, theinorganic particulate material is incorporated in the composition bycombining the base, foaming agent(s) and inorganic particulate materialin suitable amounts. The step of combining may include mixing, forexample, shear mixing. Before, during or after incorporation of theinorganic particulate material, any additional components may be addedto the composition. Typically, the majority of the components of thebase and foaming agent will normally be prepared first, followed bycombining with the inorganic particulate material and any otheradditional components. In certain embodiments, the mixing is carried outfor a period of time sufficient to produce a homogeneous mixture.

For the avoidance of doubt, the present application is directed to thesubject-matter described in the following numbered paragraphs:

1. A composition comprising a base, a foaming agent and inorganicparticulate material having a d₅₀ of from about 0.1 μm to about 200 μm.

2. A composition according to numbered paragraph 1, wherein thecomposition is a personal care composition and the base is acosmetically acceptable base.

3. A personal care composition according to numbered paragraph 2,wherein the personal care composition is a hair and/or skin cleansingcomposition.

4. A hair cleansing composition according to numbered paragraph 3,wherein the hair cleansing composition is a hair shampoo and/orconditioner.

5. A personal care composition according to numbered paragraph 2,wherein the personal care composition is a shaving foam or gel.

6. A composition according to numbered paragraph 1, wherein thecomposition is a dishwashing preparation.

7. A dishwashing preparation according to numbered paragraph 6, whereinthe dishwashing preparation is a liquid or gel, for example, awashing-up liquid.

8. A composition according to any preceding numbered paragraph, whereinthe inorganic particulate material has a d₅₀ of from about 3 μm to about100 μm, for example, a d₅₀ of greater than about 10 μm to up to about100 μm, for example, a d₅₀ of greater than about 10 μm to up to about 70μm.

9. A composition according to any preceding numbered paragraph, whereinthe foaming agent is a surfactant or mixture of surfactants.

10. A composition according to numbered paragraph 9, wherein the foamingagent comprises one or more anionic surfactants, or one or moreamphoteric surfactants, or one or more non-ionic surfactants, or anycombination thereof.

11. A composition according to numbered paragraph 9, wherein theinorganic particulate material is selected from the group consisting ofperlite, an alkaline earth metal carbonate or sulphate, such as calciumcarbonate, for example, natural calcium carbonate and/or precipitatedcalcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, dolomite, gypsum,aluminosilicate (e.g., a hydrous kandite clay such as kaolin, halloysiteor ball clay, an anhydrous (calcined) kandite clay such as metakaolin orfully calcined kaolin), talc, mica, diatomaceous earth, vermiculite,pumice, magnesium hydroxide, aluminium trihydrate, and combinationsthereof.

12. A composition according to numbered paragraph 11, wherein theinorganic particulate material is perlite, diatomaceous earth, or talc,for example, expanded perlite, and may be milled or unmilled.

13. A composition according to numbered paragraph 12, wherein theexpanded perlite is expanded milled perlite, optionally having a d₅₀ offrom about 3 μm to about 70 μm.

14. A composition according to any preceding numbered paragraph, whereinthe composition comprises from about 0.1 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of theinorganic particulate material, for example, from about 3 wt. % to about7 wt. % of the inorganic particulate material, based on the total weightof the composition.

15. A composition according to any preceding numbered paragraph, whereinthe composition comprises at least about 60 wt. % base and from about 1wt. % to about 30 wt. % foaming agent, based on the total weight of thecomposition.

16. A composition according to any preceding numbered paragraph, whereinthe base comprises at least about 50 wt. % water, and optionally furthercomprises one or more of: surfactant(s) other than those of the foamingagent, thickening agent(s), suspending agent(s), skinconditioning/moisturising agent(s), hair conditioning agent(s)perfume(s), fragrance(s), opacifier(s), pearlescing agent(s),colouring(s), preservative(s), chelating agent(s), humectants(s), herband/or plant extract(s), essential oil(s), protein(s), pH adjustingagent(s), and anti-microbial(s).

17. A composition according to any preceding numbered paragraph, whereinthe foam volume of the composition is greater than the foam volume of acomparable composition absent the inorganic particulate material.

18. A composition according to any preceding numbered paragraph, whereinthe average bubble size of the foam generated upon or during topicalapplication of the composition is smaller than the average bubble sizeof the foam generated upon or during topical application of a comparablecomposition absent the inorganic particulate material.

19. A diluted composition which is prepared by diluting a compositionaccording to any preceding numbered paragraph with from about 1 wt. % toabout 99 wt. % of water.

20. Use of an inorganic particulate material having a d₅₀ of from about0.1 μm to about 200 μm, in a composition comprising a base and foamingagent, for increasing the foam volume of the composition upon or duringtopical application of the composition.

21. Use of an inorganic particulate material having a d₅₀ of from about0.1 μm to about 200 μm, in a composition comprising a base and foamingagent, for reducing the average bubble size of the foam generated uponor during topical application of the composition.

22. A method for making a composition according to anyone of numberedparagraphs 1-18, said method comprising combining a base, foaming agentand inorganic particulate material as defined in any one of numberedparagraph 1-18 in suitable amounts.

EXAMPLES

Examples 1 and 2 relate to the first general aspect.

Example 3 relates to the second general aspect.

Examples 4 and 5 relate to the third general aspect.

Example 1 Test Methods

Scrub Feel

To assess the scrub feel, a panel of 12 subjects (6 male-6 female) isasked to use each gel in turn, scrubbing hands and arms, and give it aranking on how good the gel feels. All of the gels prepared were testedagainst a standard gel comprising Gotalene®135 colourless 26micro-beads. The gel base for each gel is identical. The ranking is from1 to 5, with 5 being very good feel. The test is run blind so that eachsubject does not know which inorganic particulate product (or Gotalene)they were using. The data was collected and an average rank calculatedfor each gel tested.

Abrasiveness

The abrasiveness of the inorganic particulate materials was compared tothe Gotalene micro-beads and a shop bought exfoliating gel, Simple®exfoliating gel containing natural Luffa extract as the scrub particles.

Equipment:

-   -   wet abrasion scrub machine (comprising a dual holder) supplied        by Erichsen, Germany    -   100 μm high gloss black polyester film supplied by HiFi        Industrial Film, Ltd, UK    -   synthetic sponges, supplied by Sheen Instruments, UK    -   Tri-Glossmaster, supplied by Sheen Instruments, UK    -   Mettler AE 160 Analytical balance supplied by Mettler Toledo

The test is based on BS7719:1194, Annex C (method for determination ofscrub resistance). The sponges were soaked in warm water and weighed onan analytical balance to 8 g±0.5 g. The exfolient gel was then added toa sponge at 5 g±0.5 g. The sponges were placed into the holder on thescrub machine and point in contact with the polyester film. The scrubmachine was set at 20 cycles (approximately 30 second duration) tosimulate back and forth motion of scrubbing. Following completion of 20cycles, the film was taken off, the residue washed off with warm waterand left to dry. Once dry, the film panel was tested for gloss at 20°using the Tri-Glossmaster. 20° was selected as this angle is moresensitive to changes in gloss levels when analysing high glosssubstrates. The gloss was measured and the percentage gloss retainedcalculated.

The test was repeated for the gel comprising the inorganic particulatematerials and the Gotalene micro-beads.

Optical Images

Low magnification optical images of some of the inorganic particulatematerials were taken (up to 200× magnification) using a Keyence VHX-1000microscope, supplied by Keyence, UK.

FIG. 3 is an optical image of a microspherical alumina, MA No. 2. FIG. 4is an optical image of a microspherical perlite, PM No. 1.

A series of inorganic particulate materials were added to gels in anamount of equivalent volume of 1.5 wt. % of Gotalene PE beads. The gelwas a shop bought gel, Imperial Leather® Ocean Fresh revitalising showergel by PZ Cussons. The specific gravity of the gel was 1.016 g/cc. Thegel showed a pseudoplastic behaviour to shear with a viscosity of about20 Pa·s at low shear to about 2 Pa·s at high shear. A comparable gelcomprising Gotalene® 135 colourless 26 microbeads was made. The gelswere tested for scrub feel and abrasivness.

Details of each inorganic particulate material and composition testedand results are summarised in Table 1 and FIGS. 1 and 2.

TABLE 1 Mineral/ micro- Particle size (μm) Density Scrub feelAbrasiveness (% bead d₁₀ d₅₀ d₉₀ (g/cc) average of gloss at 20°)Gotalene 205 0.92 2.7 94 EP No. 1 30 — 225 0.56 3.1 — EP No. 2 30 113246 0.36 3.1 39 EMP 91 198 328 1.46 2.7 63 PM No. 1 85 267 410 0.31 3.381 FA No. 1 130 — 460 3.93 1.6 82 FA No. 2 60 — 150 3.96 1.6 — MA No. 1145 — 170 3.6 2.8 — MA No. 2 143 356 392 3.15 2.3 82 EP = expandedperlite; EMP = expanded milled perlite; PM = perlite microspheres; FA =fused alumina; MA = alumina microspheres

Example 2

A sample of microspherical perlite, referred to herein as Perlite A, wasobtained having the particle size distribution shown in Table 2 below.The crush strength of Perlite A was determined according to the testmethod described below. Results are summarised in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Perlite A d₁₀ (μm) 94 d₅₀ (μm) 170 d₉₀ (μm) 280 Crush 1100strength 30% vol decrease (KPa) Apparent 0.5 density (g/cc)

Crush Strength Test Method

This test measures the pressure required to crush a bed of material,held within a steel die set, by 30% of its original volume.

60 cm³ of sample is measured and transferred into the cylindrical die.The die has an internal diameter of 50.65 and an internal height of 60.9mm. The die is gently shaken on a flat surface for 10 seconds to ‘pack’the material down in the die. A piston (having a diameter complimentaryto the diameter of the die) is placed gently on top of the sample in thedie.

The height of the piston protruding above the top of the die is measuredwith a digital micrometer and recorded, which enables the bed depth ofthe sample before compression to be calculated.

A tensometer is set up with a 10 kN load cell fitted with clamp holderbut no clamp. The die set with sample and piston is then placed underthe cross-head of the tensometer and the cross-head is driven down so itis close to the top of the piston. position in a tensometer.

The pressure is monitored as the piston is gradually driven into thedie. The measurement is monitored and data analysed using Qmat software.The pressure at 30% volume compression is then obtained.

Bulk Density Test Method

The bulk density of a substance is the value obtained when the mass ofthe substance is divided by its contained volume, after the substancehas been subjected to conditions of free pouring.

The test may be carried out on powders and granular materials. Thematerials are usually tested without prior drying, providing thematerial pours freely. The condition of free pouring is defined by theheight of fall and the contained volume. The grain size of the testmaterial is limited by the diameter of the funnel stem (see apparatusbelow).

Apparatus (ISO09001 Compliant)

-   -   funnel, internal diameter 11 cm, stem diameter 1 cm, length 12        cm    -   containing vessel; internal diameter 2.5 cm, depth 10 cm    -   balance; capable of weighing 1000 g to 0.01 g    -   retort stand, clamp and boss    -   straight edge    -   ruler to measure 7 cm

Method

-   -   attach funnel to the retort stand    -   tare the weight of the containing vessel    -   place the containing vessel under the funnel    -   adjust the clamp and boss so that the stem of the funnel is        vertical and its end 7 cm above the top of the containing vessel    -   pour the test material into the funnel until the containing        vessel overflows    -   level the test material across the top of the containing vessel        with the straight edge    -   weigh and record the net weight of the test material

Expression of Results

-   -   bulk density (BD) is expressed as g/cm³ and is calculated as        follows:

BD=W/V

-   -   where W is the net weight of the test material recorded, and V        is the volume of the containing vessel

Example 3 Abrasiveness Test Method

Equipment:

-   -   wet abrasion scrub machine (comprising a dual holder) supplied        by Erichsen, Germany    -   100 μm high gloss black polyester film supplied by HiFi        Industrial Film, Ltd, UK    -   synthetic sponges, supplied by Sheen Instruments, UK    -   Tri-Glossmaster, supplied by Sheen Instruments, UK    -   Mettler AE 160 Analytical balance supplied by Mettler Toledo

The test is based on BS7719:1194, Annex C (method for determination ofscrub resistance). The sponges were soaked in warm water and weighed onan analytical balance to 8 g±0.5 g. The cleansing composition was thenadded to a sponge at 5 g±0.5 g. The sponges were placed into the holderon the scrub machine and point in contact with the polyester film. Thescrub machine was set at 20 cycles (approximately second duration) tosimulate back and forth motion of scrubbing. Following completion of 20cycles, the film was taken off, the residue washed off with warm waterand left to dry. Once dry, the film panel was tested for gloss at 20°using the Tri-Glossmaster. 20° was selected as this angle is moresensitive to changes in gloss levels when analysing high glosssubstrates. The gloss was measured and the percentage gloss retainedcalculated.

The minerals were added at 1% wt to Clean Line Professional GP mildconcentrated detergent (made by Prime Source, Birmingham UK) andscrubbed on the abrasion tester for 20 cycles.

Details of each inorganic particulate material and composition testedand results are summarised in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Abrasiveness Mineral/micro- Particle size (μm) Density (% ofgloss at bead d₁₀ d₅₀ d₉₀ (g/cc) 20°) PM No. 1 25 65 95 1.95 94 PM No. 290 200 270 0.56 88 PM No. 3 90 260 400 0.40 74 EP 30 110 245 0.36 9 AMNo. 1 145 250 370 3.3 — AM No. 2 145 255 390 3.15 — EP = expandedperlite (non-spherical); PM = perlite microspheres; AM = aluminamicrosphere

Example 4

A series of shampoos were prepared, each comprising a differentinorganic particulate material (i.e., different type or particle sizedistribution). Details of the inorganic particulate materials are givenin Table 4 below.

For each shampoo, the inorganic particulate material was added to acommercially available shampoo such that each shampoo comprises 5 wt. %of the inorganic particulate material.

Each shampoo/inorganic particulate blend was diluted to 10% with waterand mixed at low shear until the inorganic particulate material wasfully incorporated. The mixer used was a Speed Mixer™ DAC 150FVZ bySynergy Devices Ltd, UK. The mixer speed was 300 rpm and the duration ofmixing was one minute.

A sample of each diluted shampoo was transferred to a 150 ml polystyrenebottle and shaken by hand for 15 seconds, and the foam height recordedat TO (i.e., immediately after shaking is stopped) and T5 mins. The foamvolumes in the table below are at TO only.

To measure average bubble size, images were taken up to 30 seconds afterthe shaking process stopped and the average bubble size determined usingimage analysis software. The image analysis software by Leica was usedto analyse the images. The image was opened using the software and scalewas calibrated and a sample of about 100 to 120 bubbles were drawnaround. From this, the average area was calculated by the software aswell as average length and breadth of the sample. A volume could becalculated then for average bubble size assuming the bubbles wereellipsoid in shape. i.e., the same breadth all the way round.

Results are summarized in Table 5 and FIG. 5.

Example 5

A series of shampoos were prepared, one comprising no inorganicparticulate material, and four other shampoos each comprising 5 wt. % ofan expanded milled perlite having a d₅₀ of 5 μm, and a different amountof sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) as a foaming agent. The difference inthe amount of SLES was made up by water. Details of the inorganicparticulate materials are given in Table 6 below. The shampoo withoutinorganic particulate material comprised 24 wt. % SLES. Foam volume foreach shampoo was measured in accordance with the procedure described inExample 4.

TABLE 6 Foam volume 5% wt perlite addition (cm³) Shampoo only 66.8 10%w/w SLES reduction 74.8 20% w/w SLES reduction 73.2 30% w/w SLESreduction 70.0 40% w/w SLES reduction 60.4

TABLE 5 Average Average Foam 5% wt in bubble bubble volume % vol. d₅₀shampoo area (mm²) size (mm³) (cm³) increase (μm) Shampoo only 5.1 3.42123 0.0% 0 Kaolin 1 1.63 0.76 126 2.4% 0.4 CaCO3 1.76 1.15 127 3.3% 6.5Vermiculite 2 1.03 127 3.3% 46 Kaolin 2 1.4 0.69 129 4.9% 0.2 DE 1 1.981.18 130 5.7% 12 DE 2 2.5 1.74 130 5.7% 18 Talc 2.57 1.43 132 7.3% 12 DE3 1.4 0.82 133 8.1% 5 Perlite 1 2.14 1.17 134 8.9% 40 Perlite 2 1.851.15 134 8.9% 30 DE 4 1.1 0.53 136 10.6% 3 Perlite 3 2.4 1.57 137 11.4%65 Perlite 4 1.1 0.48 138 12.2% 25 Perlite 5 1.03 0.44 140 13.8% 20Perlite 6 0.68 0.12 148 20.3% 5

1-22. (canceled)
 23. A cleaning composition comprising: a base; and aninorganic particulate material selected from the group consisting ofspherical perlite, alumina, vermiculite, nepheline and mixtures thereof;wherein the spherical perlite comprises microspheres that aresubstantially closed and hollow.
 24. The cleaning composition accordingto claim 23, wherein the base comprises a detergent.
 25. The cleaningcomposition according to claim 23, wherein the spherical perlite isexpanded perlite, optionally wherein the expanded perlite has not beenmilled.
 26. The cleaning composition according to claim 23, wherein atleast 80 wt. % of the spherical perlite is microspheres.
 27. Thecleaning composition according to claim 23, wherein the inorganicparticulate has a d₉₀ of no greater than about 500 μm, for example, nogreater than about 400 μm.
 28. The cleaning composition according toclaim 27, wherein the inorganic particulate material has a d₁₀ of atleast about 10 μm and a d₉₀ of no greater than about 500 μm, forexample, a d₁₀ of at least about 10 μm and a d₉₀ of no greater thanabout 400 μm.
 29. The cleaning composition according to claim 23,wherein the inorganic particulate material has a density of: (i) fromabout 0.10 to about 4.0 g/cc, or (ii) from about 0.10 to about 2.0 g/cc,or (iii) from about 1.50 to about 2.50 g/cc, or (iv) from about 0.20 toabout 0.70 g/cc.
 30. The cleaning composition according to claim 23,wherein the inorganic particulate material has a brightness of fromabout 65% to about 75%.
 31. The cleaning composition according to claim23, wherein the inorganic particulate material as a bulk density of fromabout 150-500 g/l.
 32. The cleaning composition according to claim 23,wherein the inorganic particulate comprises: (a) microspheres ofexpanded spherical perlite and having a d₁₀ of at least about 10 μm anda d₉₀ of no greater than about 450 μm, and optionally a density of fromabout 0.20 to about 0.70 g/cc or from about 1.50 to about 2.50 g/cc,optionally wherein the inorganic particulate material has a d₅₀ of fromabout 180 μm to about 280 μm; or (b) microspheres of alumina and havinga d₁₀ of at least about 50 μm and a d₉₀ of no greater than about 450 μm,and optionally a density of from about 3.0 to about 3.8 g/cc; or (c)microspheres of alumina and having a d₅₀ of at least about 150 μm and/ora d₉₀ of no greater than about 200 μm.
 33. The cleaning compositionaccording to claim 23, wherein the inorganic particulate material has ad₅₀ of from about 30 μm to about 80 μm.
 34. The cleaning compositionaccording to claim 23, wherein the inorganic particulate is present inan amount of from about 0.5 wt. % to about 5 wt. %.
 35. The cleaningcomposition according to claim 23, wherein the cleansing composition isa hard surface cleansing composition or tableware cleansing composition.36. A packaged product suitable for commerce comprising the cleaningcomposition according to claim
 23. 37. A method comprising using thecleaning composition of claim 23 to clean a hard surface, wherein thebase is a gel.
 38. The method according to claim 35, wherein theinorganic particulate material provides a scrubbing action.
 39. A methodfor making a cleaning composition, said method comprising combining abase and an inorganic particulate material, wherein the inorganicparticulate material is selected from the group consisting of sphericalperlite, alumina, vermiculite, nepheline and mixtures thereof, whereinthe spherical perlite comprises microspheres that are substantiallyclosed and hollow.
 40. The method according to claim 39, wherein thestep of combining includes shear mixing.
 41. The method of claim 39,wherein the base is a gel and the gel is an emulsion of surfactant andwater.
 42. The method of claim 41, wherein the gel is prepared beforebeing combined with the inorganic particulate material and any otheradditive components.